BUDDING business brains from Rochester Grammar School narrowly missed out on an all expenses paid tip to Mexico when they came second in a national IMA Business Management Competition. The 16 and 17-year-old students formed one of five teams selected from schools all around the UK.

The challenge of the competition organised by the Chartered Institute of Management (CIMA) accountants was to develop creative and cost effective ideas for a new radiant colour film that allows light to be transformed and reflected. The film will be developed by 3M the creators of the famous Post-it Note.

The girls from Rochester Grammar school in Maidstone Road, Rochester, won second prize with their ideas for CD covers for the film. Each student won a mini disc player and £500 went to the school.

A TEAM of pupils from Invicta Grammar School, Maidstone, hope to show what it takes to succeed in business when they compete in the final of the Schools Business Challenge 2002 in London on Tuesday. They are one of 10 teams to reach the final of the competition which is organised by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and sponsored by the accountancy firm KPMG.