TWO pupils from Little Thetford have reached the East Anglian final of the Connects competition after beating stiff opposition from 22 schools in East Cambridgeshire. At the event, organised by SET Point Cambridgeshire Exscite Centre at the Nissan showroo

TWO pupils from Little Thetford have reached the East Anglian final of the Connects competition after beating stiff opposition from 22 schools in East Cambridgeshire.

At the event, organised by SET Point Cambridgeshire Exscite Centre at the Nissan showrooms in Cambridge, students between nine and 11 were given the challenge to build a model of an exciting fairground ride.

The design had to have a running motor and pupils were judged on originality, excitement and aesthetic nature of the design to the stability and practicality of whether it could be replicated into a real life ride. Students were also judged on their presentation skills.

Headteacher Tony Breeze said: "The pupils learn about design technology in academic terms, but it's also a useful exercise in that they also learn about strategy, planning and team work."

The regional final will be held at the Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford on June 6 and the winners of that event will go on to compete in the national final in London.

Competition winners Lewis Oates, left, and Oscar Haines are seen here with their winning design, entitled The Spin of Doom, which scored 89 out of 100.

Photo: HELEN DRAKE