PUPILS at a Winterbourne school were given food for thought and a taste of things to come as part of a new finance programme.

Armed with knives, forks and calculators, students at the Ridings High School had the challenge of posing as a catering company and dishing up a business plan for a social club function.

The project, organised by Natwest bank, saw 60 Year 10 pupils divided into groups to tender for a dinner contract.

Pupils had to think about every detail including costing, planning and even designing menus.

The day culminated in them presenting their tenders to a panel of judges from NatWest and the school, who judged them on their quality and value for money.

The event was part of NatWest Face 2 Face With Finance, a national programme set up by the bank to develop business and financial skills among young people.

Pippa Thomas, deputy careers co-ordinator at the school, said: "It's very important that students gain basic money management skills and have the opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial and creative abilities. This activity was an extremely practical and fun way of doing this and brought alive what happens in real life."

Jan Ives, NatWest's Regional Face 2 Face With Finance manager, who helped organise and run the activity, added: "We've had a fantastic morning I have been really impressed with the creativity and business acumen the young people have shown."