PRAISE is overflowing for a group of students who have designed a revolutionary alarm which warns people when the bath is full. The group of 16 to 18-year-olds on a GNVQ Foundation Course in Business Studies at Bolton College have developed the alarm from its early design stages to an actual product which will go on display at next weekend's Young Enterprise Trade Fair in Bolton.

Operating under the name of Superior Innovations, the students decided to take up the challenge of designing and making an alarm under the national Young Enterprise scheme. In competition with schools and colleges across the country, the scheme requires them to run as a small business for one year, complete with Managing Director, finance, production and marketing and sales departments.

Their design was so impressive, North West Water have offered to help Superior Innovations, which is a registered company, to market their product at the trade fair.

North West Water, always on the look out for water-saving devices, say they were very interested to learn about the bath alarm, which can be fixed on the inside of the bath at any level. The alarm is activated when the water level touches two probes and sets off a high pitched bleeper which can be heard at long distance - if you have to dash downstairs and leave the bath taps running, for example.

The innovative overflow preventor and water saving device - currently a cute animal design to appeal to children but soon to be available in a box shape - promises to be a popular product at the trade fair.

The student company's market research department predicts that customers will pay between £8 and £12 for the alarm.

Superior Innovations, which comprises 11 "employees", operates under the supervision of college tutor Steve Radatz and outside business advisers Donald McMillan and Stuart Marlon.

Mr McMillan, who is proud of their progress, said: "At first the group had major difficulties with motivation and getting things done but now they are doing very well."

The business studies students, who also receive assistance with numeracy and IT skills, now have to complete a company report and give a presentation before ending trade in July.

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