A RIBBLE Valley high school has made almost £12,000 with a business venture started with just £250.

Pupils at Ribblesdale High School, Clitheroe, set up Phoenix in September as their entry in this year's Young Enterprise competition.

Neil Ashworth, who has co-ordinated the scheme, said 1,000 shares were sold at 25p each and shareholders will receive a 512 per cent dividend -- the equivalent of about £10.50 per share.

A donation of £250 has been made to the Macmillan Nurses charity.

The 25 directors have won two awards for their glass-painting business and made £11,800. Phoenix sold more than 1,200 decorated champagne flutes and wine glasses as well as 582 year books at £12.50 each. Some products were exported to Canada, America, Iran, France, Belgium and Australia.

Phoenix beat off competition from other high schools to take first prize in the Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley heat of the contest.

The firm's 16-page business plan, which included cash-flow analysis, performance projections, teamwork and leadership within the firm, also won an award.

The area final will be held tomorrow at Mytton Fold Farm Hotel, Langho, when the directors give a presentation about the firm's successes and failures.

Five directors -- Steven Hickey, Laura Eastham, Andrew Fletcher, Tara Begi and Adam Kenyon -- enjoyed an all-expenses paid trip to Brussels to market Phoenix in a television-style commercial speaking in French for the European leg of the contest.

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