TALENTED students who devised table tennis competition software smashed their way to glory in a countywide young business contest. Apex Enterprises, set up at Dover Grammar School for Boys, beat seven rivals to take the title of Kent and Medway Young Enterprise Company of the Year.

Judges at the event, staged at Salomons, near Tunbridge Wells, praised the Apex TT 2002 tournament organiser and its long-term potential. Company directors - James Eberlein, Tom Freeman, Chris Hadley and James Evans, all 18 - were presented with two shields. The second was the HSBC Innovation Award.

Even though they are all off to university this autumn, they intend continuing to develop the software, which sorts out table tennis tournaments for up to 256 players on 32 tables. It computes fixtures, results and points and could be adapted to other sports.

James said it had a lot of export potential. "If we can sell it into China, it's the second most popular sport in the world," he said. "Apex will go on." The company, which also include Dean Baker, 17, and David Tilbee, 18, is now hoping that investors will back further product development.

Young Enterprise is designed to help young people aged between 15 and 19 develop a feel for business. Peter Booth, chairman of the Dover Young Enterprise Area Board, said: "As far as I am aware, this is the very first time that Dover has got to this stage." Apex goes on to compete in the regional final in Horsham in June.

Robert Neame, chairman of the judges, said: "We are still not getting across the value of industry and innovation. Young Enterprise is one of the very few areas that can encourage young people to take more interest in industry."

The Kent Messenger Group Award for the best use of media went to Scluedo, an enterprise that organises murder mystery nights, set up at Pent Valley School, Folkestone. Other awards went to Wear It (North West Kent), Niche (West Kent), and Destrier (Medway).