The likes of Jonny Wilkinson and Colin Firth have shared their favourite recipes for a cook book created by pupils from a Calne school.

A group of 13 girls from St Mary’s School have spent the academic year planning the book, which is called ‘this little piggy had roast beef’, and it has been selling well.

Ella May, 17, from Chirton, who is the project’s managing director, said: “It all started from a brainstorm of ideas. We knew people were interested in celebrities and that cook books were popular sellers so we went for this idea and combined the two.

“We sent hundreds of emails out to see who we could get involved and we are pretty proud of how it has turned out.

“We have all covered the different business roles, according to what we want to pursue in the future, and it has worked out pretty well.”

The girls spent weeks tracking down celebs to get involved and, as well as Wilkinson and Firth, they managed to secure chef Ainsley Harriot, England rugby star Toby Flood and author Santa Montefiore.

The book has been selling well, with the initial order of 350 books almost sold out. As well as helping the girls hone their business skills, it will also be raising money for the Louis Dundas Centre for Children’s Palliative Care.

The girls’ project has now been shortlisted in the south west final of Young Enterprise, a national competition celebrating young business people.

They will find out on Monday whether they have made the national final.

Teacher Mark Cleaver, who has overseen the project, said: “I have been the link between the school and the Young Enterprise but I have tried to be involved as little as possible with their decision-making.

“The aim was for them to learn by doing and to run the company for themselves. If they made mistakes they would hopefully learn from them.

“They have done a superb job and really supported each other all the way through.”