A group of Ely robotic fanatics claimed a gold medal at Cambridgeshire’s very own robot wars last week – with a robot in the shape of the city’s iconic cathedral.

Ely Standard: Controller Gil Lovesey (right) led the Ely Makers to victory in the skittles competition at the Cambridge Pi Wars. Also pictured are Elly Håkansson-Harvey and Marcus Cox.Controller Gil Lovesey (right) led the Ely Makers to victory in the skittles competition at the Cambridge Pi Wars. Also pictured are Elly Håkansson-Harvey and Marcus Cox. (Image: Archant)

The East Cambs team ‘Ely Makers’ took their creation to Pi Wars in Cambridge, which saw dozens of robotics enthusiasts from across the world go head-to-head in a number of challenges with their Raspberry Pi computer-controlled robots.

Teams from schools, families and hobbyists competed in seven challenges – line following, straight line speed test, minimal maze, obstacle course, pi noon, a golf course and skittles – which the Ely Makers took gold in thanks to the skill of nine-year-old controller Gil Lovesey.

The team’s medal was handed out by head judge Dr Lucy Rogers, who is best known from judging Robot Wars on BBC2.

Ely Standard: Gil Lovesey and Max Shah collecting the skittles challenge medal from Dr Lucy Rogers.Gil Lovesey and Max Shah collecting the skittles challenge medal from Dr Lucy Rogers. (Image: Archant)

Arvind Shah, who set up the Ely Makers team, said: “We hope to develop Ely Makers into a network of hobbyists and enthusiasts interested in science and technology.

“We have also done some engaging and very successful demonstrations of our robot at local schools such as the Spring Meadow and Ely St Mary schools.”

• For more information on the Ely Makers, visit www.elymakers.co.uk or email elymakers@gmail.com.