GCSE students proved they were switched on to the world of business by winning a regional contest for young entrepreneurs.

The all-girl Year 10 group from Staindrop Comprehensive School, in County Durham, cannot keep up with the demand for the animal-shaped decorative light switch covers they produce under their Blue Moo label.

The girls' business acumen won them the regional heat of a young enterprise competition last week and now they are preparing for a national final at London's Savoy Hotel, in July.

Their covers, which sell for £2.50, have already won a prize for the best product design at a trade fair in Durham Town Hall.

All of the girls - Melissa Anderson, Emma Robson, Kelly Sowerby, Ashley Hubery, Steph Parry, Stacey Sedgewick, Anna Young, Laura Freeman and Deborah Shackleton - have a role in the company..

With the help of PC Kevin Blakey, a former marketing manager with Marks and Spencer, the school's ICT technician Phil Brown and teacher Alison Carr, they carried out market research before moving on to design and make the covers. They also make matching notepad and key holders.

Janette Marquis, young enterprise development manager for County Durham, said: "We are delighted for the girls, who worked extremely hard. We are pleased County Durham has been chosen to represent the North. It is the first time Staindrop Comprehensive has taken part and it is a huge achievement for the school."