STUDENTS at Burnley Sixth Form Centre have shown they have what it takes in the world of business by reaching the quarter finals of a national competition.

The team of three teenagers battled against schools from across the country in the ProShare National Investment Programme 2001, which is based around a series of investment challenges during a seven month period.

The first challenge was to create an imaginary portfolio with £100,000, including direct equities, investment trusts and unit trusts, and the teams with the greatest profit were chosen to go through to the next round.

The Year 12 students -- Keiron Marshall, Craig Graves and Christopher Green --turned their £100,000 into £107, 474.13 beating local rivals Preston College by almost £4,000.

Business studies teacher at the centre, Uday Gadre, said: "I think they were quite surprised to get through because they were up against a lot of people.

"For the quarter final they have to produce a written report which has to be handed in by the second week in February."

The trio must also compete in a trading ground in which they will sell up to three of the investments in their portfolio and reinvest in up to three more.

The top 21 teams from the quarter-finals will go through to the three regional semi-finals in March.