The rags-to-riches story of a group of Horsham students has gained them the title of Sussex Company of the Year in the Seeboard Energy Young Enterprise Awards.

The youngsters from Farlington School, Strood Park, Horsham, who design and sell T-shirts, also picked up prizes for the best product and best web site.

Their range of designer T-shirts has proved so popular a Horsham company has placed an order for 25 for its staff to wear.

Over the trading period, the team made a profit of £300.

The Farlington team, Utopia, dressed themselves in rags for their presentation to the judges.

They received three trophies and £275.

Young Enterprise was founded in 1963 to teach young people to understand and value the role of business in society by running their own companies.

Students set up and run their own companies at their schools.

They can raise capital by selling shares, elect directors and identify, design and sell their own products.

Peter Hofman, managing director of Seeboard Energy, was one of the judges.

He said: "We were impressed with Utopia's positive and solutionfinding attitude.

"Its web site has plenty of product information, an online ordering facility and an interactive fashion show."

Runner-up, and winners of The Argus prize, was Kaleido, a team from Roedean School.

The judges recognised the scope of Kaleido as the company also won the prize for best administration.

It made bags and pencil cases from second-hand denim, scarves and miniature blackboards, recording sales since September of £1,500.

Mr Hofman said more than 900 students from 80 companies had been involved in this year's awards.

Utopia now goes on to represent Sussex in the South-East region final at Horsham on June 19.