STUDENTS at an East Lancashire school were given food for thought by a local entrepreneur.

Helen Colley, managing director of Clitheroe-based Farmhouse Fare, visited Rhyddings Business and Enterprise school, Oswaldtwistle, to give tips on getting started in business.

Helen was invited to the school by representatives of the Business Link Lancashire's Alchemy Club, which encourages young people aged 14 to 25 to take an interest in business and self-employment.

She said: "Encouraging young people to consider start-ing their own business is critical to the future econ-omy of Lancashire. Initiatives such as The Alchemy Club are a fantastic way to inform young people about what it takes to be successful in business.

"I was delighted to be involved in the presentation to share my own experiences."

Helen started Farmhouse Fare in 1998, providing desserts to a local MacMillan Nurses coffee morning.

When the food had sold out so many people expressed an interest she began to manufacture on a larger scale.

Now the firm has an annual turnover of £5million, and supplies desserts to supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury's and Selfridges.

Businesses and schools interested in finding out more about The Alchemy Club can contact Sheila Cookson at Business Link Lancashire on 01772 450081.