NEWPORT Board of Young Enterprise celebrated one of its best-ever competitions last week, with seven schools contributing the best-ever entries.

It was an appropriate crescendo for board chairman Norman Wiltshire to bow out.

Mr Wiltshire, a former production manager for Plessey, has given eight years' service as chairman, but is now handing over to Jonathan Deacon, of Newport University's business school.

This year's finalists comprised St Julian's High School (Consortium), Bassaleg School (Athena), St Joseph's Roman Catholic High School (Minerva), Bettws High School (Room 515), Caerleon Comprehensive School (Concentric) and Maes Ebbw (WAMS).

The team of seven judges, drawn from local industry, voted Amy Ludlow, of Concentric, the best individual achiever.

Best product was deemed to be Athena's range of clocks and Valentine's gifts.

Best marketing strategy and best financial performance was won by Room 515.

I'd like to add my own awards to this team for coolest company name and worst spelling.

The team had Bettws High Scool (sic) printed on the cover of its company report.

Nevertheless, the team achieved outstanding sales on its sweets, confectionery and seasonal products business of £3,220.20. This yielded a gross profit of £1,584.71.

The result was far and above any other team in the competition. But although this earned it "best financial performance" it was not enough to put it in the final.

Best display stand was won by Minerva, best company report by Athena and best presentation by Spectrum.

The judges could not separate the top two teams in the best use of ICT, so they called it a draw between Athena and Spectrum.

The team programme award was won by WAMS.

Spectrum was judged overall winner, with Athena as runner-up, and these two will advance to the all-Gwent final at Coleg Gwent in Ebbw Vale on May 13.

The teams were praised by Professor James Lusty, vice-chancellor of University of Wales, Newport.

He admitted to being amazed by the "ingenuity and enterprise" of the competitors.

"In the last couple of years we have seen some outstanding projects and I know there are some outstanding achievers here tonight."

He said the university enjoyed hosting the event because it fitted in with its goals "of bringing learning to life and life to learning".

Speaking to the teams, he said: "The skills you have picked up will stay with you and be useful in numerous areas of your life."

The event was attended by Assembly Member Rosemary Butler and Newport mayor Ray Truman.

Sponsors included the Monmouthshire Building Society, Corus, Solutia, Orb Steels, Newport council, South Wales Argus, Stanco Exhibitions, HSBC, The Greyhound and Lyceum inns, March Bessant & Co, FWD Law, Track Services, Brian Langley (opticians) The Bell Inn and The Red Lion.