A GROUP of budding entrepreneurs are hoping their project to make and sell bird feeders will take off.

Students at Park View Community School, in Chester-le-Street, are running their own business - everything from product design to making the feeders, selling the finished items and managing the finances.

The project was designed to encourage the 14 to 15-year-olds to understand and develop the skills they will need when taking their first steps in the workplace.

Following a successful sale pitch, orders have flooded in from students and staff so pupils set up a production line in the school's technology department to meet the demand.

Teacher Peter Dine said: "The project was an excellent opportunity for the students to see the variety of skills needed in the workplace.