THE UK Aerospace Youth Rocketry Challenge is calling for budding scientists in the North-East to take part in its 2013 competition which is now open for entries.

Each team of between three and five members aged 11-18 will be required to design and build a rocket to exacting specifications, launching and safely landing a fragile payload of two raw hen's eggs.

Last year, 20 teams from all over the country made their way to the national final, which took place in Farnborough, Hampshire.

The event saw a team of five students from The Royal Liberty School in Romford beat the competition to win a place in the international final at the Paris Airshow 2013 and an all-expenses paid trip to Paris and the Airbus assembly plant in Toulouse.

Paul Everitt, chief executive of aerospace trade organisation, ADS group commented: "This year's Rocketry Challenge promises to be bigger and better than ever before and we've already received entries from more than 30 teams. We want to ensure that the North-East is fairly represented, so we are encouraging young people from across the area to team up and get involved in this unique initiative which we have seen ignite a passion for our sectors from some of the brightest talent across the UK."

The UKAYRoC is organised by aerospace trade organisation ADS Group, Space Connections and the Royal Aeronautical Society. The challenge provides secondary school student teams (three to five members), aged between 11 and 18 with a realistic experience in designing a flying aerospace vehicle.

Regional winners will go forward to take part in the UK final which will take place in May 2014.

The overall UK winners will represent their country at the International Rocketry Challenge against the US and French winning teams at the Farnborough International Airshow 2014.

For more information visit ukayroc.org