Two teenagers are proving themselves to be computer whizkids, after winning places in a regional competition.

Jemma Amey and Anna Dziewulski had to set up complicated spreadsheets for a pizza chain, a database for a company and a no Smoking poster. The pupils at Our Lady's Convent School, Abingdon, are now through to the regional heats of the "Hothouse Comp", an information and com- munications project being run by IBM to encourage computer skills.

At 13, Anna is the youngest competitor to have reached this stage of the competition.

She said: "I had no idea I stood a chance."

If successful, Anna and Jemma, who at 15 equals the age of the second youngest ever to be selected, will qualify for the final.

In March, Our Lady's Convent School opened a new £25,000 ICT suite thanks to an anonymous donor. It is equipped with 30 new computers.