The £5.3m centre for enterprise project was selected because of its unique approach to fostering a business spirit among students and the wider community and its links with local companies.

Since September the innovative centre, which has strong links with employers such as RAC, has created 23 new jobs, developed two new businesses and helped a further 67 firms expand.

The centre also allows students to gain vital hands-on experience through training schemes and business link-ups.

And the school's hard work has been recognised after the centre was selected to represent North Nottinghamshire and North Derbyshire by The Alliance Sub-Regional Strategic Partnership (SSP).

Headteacher Ian Fraser told Chad: "The school feels that the opportunities opened up by this enterprising venture and the rest of the new developments have been important in promoting a positive awareness in the local community.

"Students view and experience the facilities and tell parents, who tell friends and, as a result, the ethos of the site and the expectations of the whole area are enhanced."

Future

Andrew Street, chief executive of the Alliance SSP, told Chad the enterprise centre could help secure Ashfield's long-term economic future.

He said: "For decades areas like Ashfield relied on large employers in traditional industries where hard work and loyalty were the pre-requisites for long-term job security, which is rarely the case today.

"The demise of the coalmining and hosiery industries have left our communities among the most deprived in Britain.

"New technologies demand ongoing training and our communities need entrepreneurial skills and support for enterprise to create their own sustainable economic futures."