A dozen final-year design and technology degree students at York St John College are taking part in a project to design a product range of occasional furniture - and it could land one of them a job.

The students have agreed to help plastics company Barkston Ltd of Leeds develop the range.

Barkston wanted to get more involved with colleges and universities and suggested the partnership.

Now, as part of their course work, the students will work alongside Barkston to create designs to market and exploit commercially.

The students will visit Barkston's factory to learn about plastic manufacturing, and then design and produce prototypes of their ideas.

Up to three of the best ideas will then be made up as actual real-size products at Barkston's factory, and a winner will be selected, based on how well the ideas work as commercial products, and how well Barkston assesses they could do in the commercial market.

The project will also involve Barkston spending time at the York college as part of a judging panel assisting with the design of a new foundation degree course at the college.

Barkston will provide input on how to bridge the gap between academic learning and the commercial world, and will give advice on the relevance of various aspects of the course and how these could assist students in the workplace.

Tim Kiernan, managing director of Barkston Ltd, said: "We are delighted to be able to work with young students with fresh ideas and hope the project will bring mutual benefits. For Barkston, we have the opportunity to branch out into a new market with our own product range and for the students it offers real commercial experience."

Updated: 11:47 Tuesday, April 06, 2004