YOUNG entrepreneurs have won the East Lancashire final of a business competition after producing a board game that netted a 600 per cent dividend for shareholders.

The Paragon Young Enterprise team from Ribblesdale High School, Clitheroe, devised the game Witchways depicting the history and culture of the Ribble Valley.

They have also produced an Amerian-style leavers book available in print or on CD-Rom.

Now they have come out tops at the East Lancashire finals of Young Enterprise at the Mytton Fold Farm Hotel, Langho.

They were overall winners and also won awards for best written report and best administration.

Young Enterprise offers youngsters between 15 and 19 the chance to run their own mini-firms with help from local businesses. The runner-up in the East Lancashire final was Down Memory Lane, from Barden High School, Burnley, who also won the award for best manufactured product.

Best company founder was Sajjida Aktar, of Rhyddings High School, Oswaldtwistle, and the best achievers were Cassandra Tunbridge, of Walton High School, Nelson, and Jonathan Hoyle, of Hollins High School, Accrington.

Guest speaker at the event was Alan Plant, Young Enterprise North West director, and prizes were presented by Paul Heald, of the East Lancashire Training and Enterprise Council.

Ribblesdale High School Young Enterprise coordinator Neil Ashworth said "Competition at the East Lancashire final was tough, but the pupils have worked tremendously hard and were outstanding on the night."

Paragon now goes forward to the North-West finals of Young Enterprise at the University of Central Lancashire, Preston, on June 13.

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