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RESEARCH of borough teenagers claims a savvy bunch of young surfers are running their own online businesses from their bedrooms with one in ten earning more than six times the minimum wage.

Virgin Media's statistics show 22 per cent of 13-18-year-olds in the borough have become online entrepreneurs with 15 per cent earning in excess of £23.07 per hour.

Almost half of young people in the borough have made money using the internet in the last 12 months by taking advantage of sites such as eBay and Amazon, setting up their own online store or creating forums or blogs, reaping the profits from sponsors and advertisers.

The company claims the average Dudley teenager is making up to £100 a month and a staggering two per cent of 15 and 16-year-olds reveal pulling in more than £5,000 a month.

In response to Dudley's teenage tycoons, Virgin Media Sparks is launching a competition for business-headed youngsters to pitch their best online business idea, with the winner snapping up £1,000 towards setting up their venture, plus a business mentor, laptop and the chance to meet top business guru, winner of the BBC's Apprentice, Tim Campbell.

An entry form can be downloaded from www.virginmedia.com/sparks

5:10pm Saturday 29th March 2008

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