Pupils from Farnborough Hill School and Salesian College set up an enterprise called UrbanWood Designs and stole the show with items ranging from jewellery to furniture made purely from wood.

The team’s idea to give everyday objects made from a traditional material a funky twist impressed a panel of judges enough to see them win a host of awards.

Their prizes included Best Presentation and Best Report in the pre-16 category before they were eventually crowned Best Company Overall.

They will now go through to the Hampshire finals in Winchester on Tuesday next week.

From there the winners will proceed to the regional final, national final and eventually on to the European final.

Pupils from seven other schools across the area, including The Wavell School in Farnborough and Robert May’s School in Odiham, also showcased their companies’ work at the event held in the Prospect Theatre at the Sixth Form College, Farnborough, last week.

Each company created stands to display its work to a panel of judges.

Their members were then interviewed about their achievements before giving a five-minute presentation on their businesses.

The Young Enterprise scheme is a national charity that seeks to inspire and equip young people to learn and succeed through business and enterprise.

Participants are expected to set up and run their own company for a year.

Other winners on the night included Cove School’s team Casbah, which walked away with the Best Company, Best Presentation and Best Business Plan awards in the pre-16 category.

The Robert May’s School team Kooey was handed Best Press Release while team Corrupt, set up by students from the Sixth Form College, won Best Press Advertisement. Both competitions were sponsored by the News Group.

The Wavell School in Farnborough, which set up the company Image, took the prize for the Best Report in the pre-16 category.

Hugh Deed, chairman of the North-East Hampshire Young Enterprise Area Board, said the evening went very well.

“We had a couple of new schools enter this year’s competition and we are hopeful more will get involved in the future,” he added.

“The scheme is a great way for young people to get used to business and enterprise.

“It helps them to develop in a company environment where they have to stand up to their peers, hold debates and take leadership.”

Pupils sell their company’s products at trade fairs, including one held earlier this year at Princes Mead in Farnborough.

Mr Deed said this was an excellent way for youngsters to get used to handling members of the public.

He added: “It is an opportunity for young people to try things in a safe but real environment.

“Learning to deal with members of the public is something most people have to learn before they can understand how a company works from a financial or sales aspect.”