This year entries included a car body made of vacuum-formed see-through panels, designed by 12-year-old Robin Shute, a five-foot hamster wheel with seating for children to play in, constructed by a group of 14 and 15-year-olds and a machine that places traffic cones on to the road, devised by Evelyn Chapman, aged 18.

The competition, run by the Engineering Council, has a range of age categories and awards. It is open to individual entries or teams of up to four and the top prize is more than pound;75,000. Regional finals take place each year throughout the UK in June and July and the winner of each regional event earns a place at the national final in London in September.

For information on next year’s competition contact Nina Williams or Margareta de la Touche at the Engineering Council on 020 7557 64346430. E-mail: nwilliams@engc.org.uk mdelatouche@engc.org.uk