ENTREPRENEURIAL Sidmouth siblings and a friend have launched a snack business they hope will boost a charity – despite all still being at school.

Teen brothers Edward, William and Henry Thomas – and pal Alex Ford, nine, - will juggle homework with balance sheets in the hope a slice of their profits can help blind children.

Their Sidmouth Snack enterprise, though up by themselves, has already proved a smash-hit with town traders.

Eight businesses have already agreed to sell the tasty treats.

The ages of the owners isn’t the only unique thing about the newly-formed firm – its young owners want to use profits to ‘give something back to the community’.

The young foursome have teamed up with the ChariSnack franchise to offer workplaces in the town healthier, low-calorie, snack options to chocolate and crisps.

ChariSnack supports the work of the National Blind Children’s Society (NBCS) by making a donation to the cause for every packet of its snacks sold.

The oldest of the quartet, Edward, 15, told the Herald: “We had the idea for the business, but above all else, we were all agreed that some of the profit would have to be given to a chosen charity, so we researched many companies. Only ChariSnack met all of our criteria.”

Edward and brothers William and Henry, both 14, all go to Sidmouth College.

St John’s School student Henry added: ‘Our idea has been really well received, but we’re aiming to have 50 boxes in Sidmouth, so if anyone is interested in hosting one of our boxes please contact us.”

Craig Brittain, managing director of ChariSnack, was delighted to meet with the boys to get the business off the ground.

He said he was impressed with their enthusiasm and insistence about being able to help a charity with some of their profit.

NBCS is the UK’s leading children’s charity supporting children who are blind and visually impaired. It focuses on helping them to gain the skills and the confidence they need to lead as full a life as possible.

Sidmouth Snack boxes can currently be found in Ford and Sons, Total FX Hair Salon, Sidmouth Post Office, Pure Indulgence, Radway Lodge, Michelmores Solicitors, Ridgeway Residential Home and Every’s Solicitors.

Anyone in interesting in stocking the snacks can e-mail: info@sidmouthsnacks.co.uk.