Billericay Business Exchange has finally closed for business - after completing the last task in its three year history.

Exchange chairman Sue Cochrane was among a party of 10 schoolchildren who visited the BBC in London as first prize in a competition run by the Exchange.

The winners, who are all pupils at Mayflower School in Stock Road, were victorious in the Exchange 2000 competition which challenged pupils to present their own view of life in the new millennium.

The youngsters, who were accompanied by teacher Maureen Pixton, had the chance to view the BBC studios and were presented with a commemorative mug as a memento of the day.

The Exchange announced it was closing at the beginning of the year because of falling numbers at social events.

Exchange staff have thanked High Street based business Ian Brown Insurance for sponsoring the coach which took the party to London for the day.

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