THERE was no need for a closing down sale when Corsham School's Young Enterprise company, Eminence, ceased trading.

The young entrepreneurs started up a key ring company nine months ago as part of the Young Enterprise scheme that encourages pupils to foster first-hand experience of industry.

They have now sold the remaining stock of l00 key rings to the county council.

The key rings, which include pictures of Wiltshire landmarks, will be taken overseas by teachers on exchanges as gifts to their hosts abroad.

The company has been extremely successful, making a tidy profit for its shareholders and raising enough cash to fund a day's paintballing for its year 13 staff.

The success of the company over its nine months in business is down to its choice of product, according to head of economics and business Eddie Simms.

"They've got work to do so they haven't got a lot of time, but the product is simple to produce," he said.

The key rings can easily be personalised by producing a graphic on a computer, printing it, and putting it into the key ring. The chains themselves were bought ready made.

Customers included a Chippenham's New Road hotel, Chaplin's Grocers, Right Angle picture framers, and two jewellers' in Corsham Coppins and RA Cornford. All were impressed with the company's persuasive promotions.

The county council is very happy with its shopping spree. "We felt this was an ideal opportunity to show off the talent we have in the county to visitors from abroad," said a county council spokesman.