TEENAGERS have shown professional construction companies the way forward after producing winning designs for a redundant cement works.

Students from five schools were set the task of launching a construction company and devising an alternative use for the former Blue Circle Cement Works, in Eastgate, Weardale.

It is the second year that the competition has been run. It is set by Bishop Auckland construction company M&M Plasline and the Construction Industry Training Board.

The five schools were: Sunnydale School, Shildon, Wolsingham School and Community College, St John's RC Comprehensive School, King James I Community College and Bishop Barrington Comprehensive School, all in Bishop Auckland.

The popular choice for the Eastgate site was to develop a holiday village with leisure facilities and tourist attractions.

The winners were announced at a ceremony in Auckland Castle yesterday with students from St John's RC Comprehensive School clinching the title.

Headteacher Gerard Moran said: "It is tremendous. I am very proud of them.

"They have worked very hard as a whole team and this is well deserved.''

The young entrepreneurs were awarded with their prize by Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster who praised the standard of work.