Students from three schools in south west Hertfordshire are through to the next stage of the Young Enterprise Competition, after winning awards for their entrepreneurial efforts.

Pupils from eight secondary schools attended the Young Enterprise area finals on Wednesday, March 20, after taking part in the charity scheme which sees students set up and run their own business for one year.

Merchant Taylor’s School, Rickmansworth School and Royal Masonic School were named the three Best Companies in Watford.

Liz Pickford, Careers Coordinator at Rickmansworth School, said: "The students are so excited for the area final.

"They are full of enthusiasm and have been working so hard to spread the word about their brand."

A group of 19 students from the school created Reborn, a business which designed and produced cushions made entirely from recycled material.

They were mentored by two members of staff from VocaLink in Rickmansworth, and each student was allocated a specific directing role.

The team, who won the Best Company Report Award, were competing against sixth form students from other schools.

Mrs Pickford said: "Students weren’t fazed at all by the age difference. If anything, it brought out their competitive spirit."

Students from Merchant Taylor’s School sold and designed a children’s book while The Royal Masonic team sold a car safety net.

Katy Burke, Young Enterprise Business Manager, said: "The awards highlighted how Young Enterprise can inspire young people to become entrepreneurs of tomorrow and help them develop practical business skills while they are still at school."

The Hertfordshire final takes place Wednesday, June 10, at Hertfordshire University.

To see the Reborn cushions, visit http://ricky-reborn.webs.com/