David Towers, a Birmingham University undergraduate, won a top accolade at Manchester's Most Enterprising Students 2005 awards.

The awards are compiled by Shell STEP and the local ChamberLink.

ChamberLink, which provides business support, worked with STEP, a national work placement initiative sponsored by Shell, to place undergraduates in Greater Manchester businesses.

David, an international business commerce student, was hailed for his work on a project for STEP and Ancoates-based, Fingershield, which supply anti-trapping finger devices. David, aged 21, helped create and implement international marketing strategies.

Paul O'Carrol, from Fingershield, said: "David has been brilliant. He identified market opportunities in the US and formulated a programme to maximise distribution of Fingershield products to a new international market. The result of David's project will have massive benefits."

David beat 50 other finalists and took home £250. He goes on to the regional final in Manchester tomorrow.