A-LEVEL business students have put their textbooks to one side and set up their own company.

The group of 11 students from All Saints Secondary School, in York, have created Jorvik Candles.

The business, which is run as a virtual shop on the Internet, sells scented candles.

They have set up the firm through the Young Enterprise scheme, which allows students to experience business for real under the guidance and supervision of a teacher and a volunteer business advisor.

Managing director Chris Houston, 17, said: "We're really pleased with how the business is going. You can learn a lot about business in the classroom, but there's no substitute for actually doing it yourself."

Business studies teacher Paul Stavridis, said: "They started off like another business testing the marketplace, and originally sold single candles at local craft fairs.

"The demand was such that they are now concentrating on enhancing their products for the gift market. After Christmas they are going to launch a love-themed one for Valentine's Day, which is always a big market."