HOT on the heels of Richard Branson and Bill Gates are budding entrepreneurs from a Rubery school.

Sixteen pupils from Waseley Hills High School's sixth form have launched a company.

They are taking part in a national initiative called Young Enterprise and have named their company Viva!

The scheme aims to arm students with business skills and culminates with a national competition.

Viva! sells an innovative range of merchandise including dominoes, beaded bracelets, framed local pictures and calendars showing nostalgic scenes of Bromsgrove and the surrounding areas.

The teenagers aim to produce original gifts from creative ideas and found their products were welcomed by the public at the many fairs and events they attended during the festive period.

Young Enterprise has proved popular at Waseley for many years and so many people wanted to take part in 2000/2001 that two groups were formed.

The rivals are selling candles and the teams will go head to head at regional finals planned for the spring.

Viva! marketing director Laura Bird, aged 16, said: "We formed in mid-October and so far I think it has been great fun.

"We receive businesses advice from Halfords representatives and I think taking part in Young Enterprise is an excellent grounding for people who would like a career in the industry.

"We especially enjoy getting out and about in the community selling our wares."

Contact the school on 0121 453 5211 for further details about Viva!