Their customer base might be small, but pupils in a 46-pupil school in East Lothian are learning about the business world and turning a profit in their health shop.

Saltoun Primary’s “Snack Shack” sells healthy food and drink on a weekly basis before school starts and at break times. Open to all pupils, staff, parents and the local community, it came into being after the school’s smoothie cafe failed to make profit.

Pupils were responsible for setting up the Snack Shack with a pound;100 budget to buy initial stock, uniforms and a display unit for merchandise. Due to the number of pupils interested in working at the shop, an application process was developed, involving a written application form and a face-to- face interview.

Pupils are also responsible for buying the Snack Shack stock and generating ideas to encourage sales when business is slow, for example, promotional offers.

Laura Birrell, acting head, said: “They are extremely ambitious and are hoping to make significant profit this term.”

Over the past five weeks pupils have made pound;50.