Year 10 pupils at Bowland High School were invited to work in teams to complete eight enterprise tasks and avoid being fired to become "The Apprentice".

Taking the place of Sir Alan Sugar was local entrepreneur John Lancaster. He was supported by the school's own "Nick and Margaret" – Peter Grange, a local banking consultant and school governor, and Mrs Allison Hill, maths teacher and Keystage 4 manager.

The two teams which reached the final were grilled by the board in front of fellow pupils and staff before Mr Lancaster made his final decision.

"Branson's Technology" came out as the winners and will enjoy a trip to the BBC News Studios in Manchester to watch the news being filmed and tour the studios.

Miss Emma Wilkinson, enterprise co-ordinator, said: "One task required pupils to develop three new uses for an everyday item. The ideas pupils generated were astounding. One group decided a balloon could be used for "Boil in the Bag" meals for students – who would then not need to do any washing up and could prepare food in a healthier way."

Headteacher Mr Stephen Cox added "The teams all rose to the challenges set with imagination, teamwork and tenacity, they had an exciting day and would have given any of the TV finalists a run for their money!" (s)