The work of entrepreneurial pupils was recognised at the finals of the Oxfordshire Young Enterprise scheme.

More than 700 pupils from 38 secondary schools took part in Young Enterprise, which gives students experience of starting and running their own company.

Asma Nizami holds the Grant Thornton Shield, watched by other members of Funk

Representatives of eight schools presented their companies to business leaders, teachers and parents at Culham Science Centre, near Abingdon.

The winning company, Oxford High School's Funk, will represent Oxfordshire in the South East England Young Enterprise heat in June.

Funk made bags, jewellery and mirrors and sold them at trade fairs and in school.

In addition to the Grant Thornton Shield for Oxfordshire's best Young Enterprise company, the 18-strong team also collected awards for best company report and best website.

Asma Nizami, 17, of Funk, said: "We were able to combine people with artistic and technical specialities." The first Oxford Mail award, for best use of publicity, was won by Aurora, from St Edward's School, Oxford, for an article published in our Schools Extra supple- ment.

The Warriner School, in Bloxham, was also recognised as a new YE centre.

Next year's competition will include a citizenship section for primary schools for the first time in Oxfordshire.

The Marsh International Shield: for best team programme company, was won by Funky Factory, from North Oxfordshire College, in Banbury.

The Chartered Management Institute Shield: for manufacturing, was won by BYE, from Bloxham School.

The Oxford Mail Award: for best use of publicity, was won by Aurora, from St Edward's School, in Oxford.

The Set4Success Best Website Award: for the best company website, was won by Funk, from Oxford High School.

The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators Plaque: for the best administered company, was won by Giggle, from Our Lady's Convent School, in Abingdon.

The Blackwell Cup: for the best display stand, was won by Horizon, from Gillotts School, in Henley.

The AC Nielsen Challenge Cup: for the best use of marketing and marketing research, was won by Absolute, from The School of St Helen and St Katharine, in Abingdon.

The UKAEA Cup: for the best financial report, was won by Giggle, from Our Lady's Convent School, in Abingdon.

The WH Smith Cup: for best company report, was won by Funk, from Oxford High School.

The LloydsTSB Private banking shield, for the best presentation, was won by Qool, from Headington School, in Oxford.

The Grant Thornton Shield: for best company, was won by Funk, from Oxford High School.