Primary school entrants to this national knock-out competition will participate in up to three rounds, each based on a different language: Spanish, Greek and Saami (the language of Lapland). For the first round, three free copies of Talk Now! Learn Spanish interactive CD-Roms will be supplied. Points are acquired as students use the discs and an award sheet can be printed out after every 900 points. These sheets should be sent to EuroTalk (language learning software company) by July 10. The highest scorers will compete in 10 regional semi-finals held in the run up to the Day of European Languages on September 26 and the winners of these will qualify for the final in London on November 15. Top prize is a family trip to Lapland and runners-up will receive EuroTalk software. Application forms Tel: 0800 018 8838 www.eurotalk.co.uk.

WALLACE’S INVENTING COMPETITION.

As part of Wallace and Gromit’s Wrong Trousers Day on July 4 (June 20 in Scotland and Northern Ireland), children aged four to 18 are invited to propose an original idea for an amazing invention, demonstrating their research and ideas for design and manufacturing and marketing. A panel of judges including wind-up radio inventor Trevor Baylis will select winners in five age groups. Prizes will be provided by Hewlett-Packard. On the day, participants wear normal clothes from the waist upwards and the “wrong” trousers below and pay pound;1 to Wallace and Gromit’s Children’s Foundation to support children’s healthcare in UK hospitals and hospices. A pack is available from the Grand Appeal, 24 Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol BS2 8DJ Tel: 0117 927 3888 freephone 0800 919 649. www.grandappeal.org.ukpagescontact_us.html