A team of management students from York St John College fought off tough competition to win the Small Business Simulation, inter-university strategy competition at Venturefest York 2004.

Seven teams from higher education institutes around the region entered the event at York Racecourse.

Each was tasked with the strategic development and running of a small business over a two-year period, using a computer simulation model.

Competition judges were academics from the University of York and York St John College and they were looking for the team which met its strategic objectives most effectively.

Claire Scarffe, Tara King, and Emma Moody, who are third year students on York St John College's management studies degree programme, won the competition with a strategy that was conservative but effective.

The team were delighted both with the outcome and the prize donated by the Yorkshire Forward "start" initiative.

Dr Deborah Davies, principal lecturer in external relations at York St John College, was delighted with her students' achievement.

She said: "The students did exceptionally well to come in first given the high quality performance of the competing teams. They showed considerable commitment and determination in taking part in the event and they gained a lot from the experience."

Updated: 12:00 Tuesday, February 24, 2004