Computer wizard Stephen O'Neil has proved he is the business after being voted Oxfordshire's Most Enterprising Student 2006.

Mr O'Neil, 21, from Bicester, picked up the Shell Step award after spending the summer working with high-tech Bicester firm WebmartUK.

He said: "I can t believe that I have won, it's an amazing feeling. I really enjoyed doing my project and have got so much experience out of it, and to win the local title is just fantastic."

Mr O'Neil picked up his award at a ceremony organised by Oxford Innovation for local students who took part in this year's Shell Step Programme, which aims to link students with employers in a bid to boost their career prospects.

And it was a double celebration as his bosses at WebmartUK were so impressed, they have offered him a permanent job when he graduates next year.

About 20 undergraduates signed up to the programme after seeing an article published in Jobs Extra in May, and worked with a wide variety of companies.

Mr O'Neil, who is studying at Essex University, Colchester, will now go through to the regional event where he will face winners from across the South East.

He added: "I want to thank Paul King at WebmartUK who supported me throughout the project and helped me succeed."

At WebmartUK, Mr O'Neil was responsible for introducing systems that would cut the amount of time dedicated to administrative tasks.

In just eight weeks, he created a company property check-out system, a software tracker and a content management system (CMS), all of which are now being used by the company to save time and money.

WebmartUK managing director Simon Biltcliffe said: "We are delighted, firstly with what Stephen has achieved over the summer and secondly by him reaching the next stage of the competition."