SCHOOL entrepreneurs have been making waves in the world of commerce by helping to keep a struggling swimming pool project afloat.

A-level students from Wolsingham School and Community College acted as business troubleshooters for the Weardale Open Air Swimming Pool Association in Stanhope, which needed to cut its running costs and attract more customers.

The pool has suffered in recent years from lack of investment and declining numbers and has only survived through the efforts of village fundraisers.

The students have teamed up with Country Durham Business and Learning Partnership and Durham University's Small Enterprise Education Development to draw up a marketing strategy for next summer.

A separate group examined ways of cutting running costs.

Student Chris Thompson, said: "The people who run the pool now have a lot of helpful information at their fingertips and are in a good position to made savings.

"Taking part in the project has really opened our eyes to the type of problems businesses face."

Peter Thompson, association chairman, said: "The work carried out by the students will have a big impact next summer."