A GREETING card company founded by 15 students has been recognised with an award.

The group of 17 and 18-year-olds from Framwellgate School, Durham City, started their handmade greeting card company, trading under the name Freestyle.

Now it has made a profit of £100, beating off competition from six others run by teams in the Durham area to be named Best Financially Managed Company at this year's Young Enterprise awards.

Accountancy firm and business development advisor Harland and Company, which has offices in Newcastle and Consett, sponsored the award for the second year.

Freestyle accountant Jonathan Haggart, 17, of Newton Hall, said: "We were ecstatic when we found out we'd won.

"I really enjoyed gaining real experience of financial work.

"I am studying A-level maths, so it's all relevant to what I want to do as a career."

The accounts manager at Harland, Stephen Paul, who is also an ex-pupil of Framwellgate School, said: "It's satisfying to support such a worthwhile initiative.

"I was extremely impressed with the group's clear business plan and their general understanding of financial matters involved in running a successful business."