THE present Future Business Magnates (FBM) champions are vying to retain their crown by coming up with another innovative idea.

Last year, Framwellgate School, in Durham, won the competition by devising a business that recycled greetings cards and sold them on to benefit a local charity.

Now, the young business brains have gone for a different type of enterprise, called Simply Soxs, which makes bespoke covers – or “soxs” – for mobile phones.

As well as being eye-catching, the sox also prevent the phone being scratched.

The Framwellgate team, made up of year eight pupils, is being mentored by Helen Strangward, of Event Durham, who will help guide them through the competition’s six challenges.

Twelve schools, including a guest team from Bangor, in Northern Ireland, are taking part in this year’s contest, which will end with a 20- minute presentation before three leading business people from the Durham area.

The winner will be announced at an awards night at the Radisson hotel, in Durham City.