A TEAM of inventive entrepreneurs from Blundell's School have scooped a prestigious prize after writing their name into the history books.

Ben Stevens, Tom Kennaugh, Ben Simpson and Aahil Mehta, pupils at the school, were showcasing their invention the Ötzin pen at the Young Enterprise County Finals.

The Ötzi pen is made out of recycled copper, named after the iceman found buried alongside a copper axe in the Ötzal Alps.

The team scooped the Best Company Trade Stand at the prestigious competition, beating competition from Torquay Girls Grammar School, Taunton School, Exeter School and Trinity School.

Tom Candler, head of business studies and economics at Blundell’s, praised the students.

Mr Candler said: “I am very proud of the team - they came up with an excellent product and have worked really hard on all aspects of the business from raising the capital to developing and marketing the pens.

"It has been a great experience for them to face the challenges of running their own company and the skills they’ve developed will stand them in good stead for the future."

The four budding businessmen were supported in their quest by teachers and business advisers throughout the programme.

At the county final, each team was assessed on its company report, the originality and quality of products, the experience gained by the students during the programme, as well as on the presentation they gave at the final to local business leaders.

The other winning categories were best company report, best company presentation and overall winner of the company programme.

The Ötzi pens produced by the Blundell’s students have already proved very popular, as at a young trade event at Darts Farm in March, the team were awarded first place, sold out of pens and were subsequently invited to sell them at Darts Farm.

Young Enterprise is the UK’s leading charity that empowers young people to harness their personal and business skills.

The company programme is delivered across an academic year and offers young people make all the decisions about their company, from raising the initial share capital through to designing their product or service to selling directly to customers and ultimately winding up the company and paying their taxes. All this takes place with the support of a business adviser who brings a wealth of business knowledge and expertise to the team.