ENTERPRISING students have tasted success after raising money for a charity appeal.

The youngsters from Lexden Springs special school in Colchester were set the challenge of raising as much money as possible from a £20 stake as part of the Thiftwood Young Enterprise competition.

With help from learning support workers Edd *corr* Cook and Sam McEwan, the students, aged 18 and 19, decided to invest the money to make fudge.

Edd said: "The students were involved in everything.

"They chose three flavours - chocolate orange, chocolate fudge and rum and raisin - and carried out taste tests.

"They also did market research and worked out the best place to buy produce.

"By the end, they made 180 bags of fudge which was sold to staff, parents and even to Stansted Airport."

The students were part of the school's Young Enterprise Group at its post-16 centre, Holly Lodge, and they made £200.

The money is being donated to the school's 100,000 Smiles appeal to raise £100,000 for a new playground.

They will now go on to pitch their idea to a Dragons' Den-style panel in Chelmsford in April.

Edd said: "The students did superbly well.

"They entered into the spirit of it and thoroughly enjoyed it.

"We sent out feedback forms and had lots back from people saying they wanted us to do it again.

"They suggested other flavours to try and I think we will revisit it again in the future."