A GROUP of youngsters have won the regional heat of a national competition.

The team from Branksome Comprehensive School, Darlington, set up a company called Tweety Pie Bird Supply, selling birdseed, nuts and hand-made nest boxes.

They formed a board and sold shares in the venture. Among people buying into the company was Darlington MP Alan Milburn.

The youngsters, who have all taken on roles in the business, sell their stock at craft fairs, school functions and at Darlington market.

Last week, the company won the Northern Electric Environment Award at the Young Enterprise of the Year awards for the region.

Representatives David Howell, Dean Murphy, Stuart Martin, Ruhul Abdin and Jade Turnbull were at the competition and presented a company report to the board of judges.