YOUNG engineers at a school in the North-East have won the regional round of a technology competition.

Two teams from Tanfield School, near Stanley, County Durham, both came first in their heats of the recent Vex Robotics Competition.

It was held at the Gateshead College Skills Academy for Sustainable Manufacturing and Innovation at Nissan, near Washington.

Year eight and nine pupils will now be taking part in the national competition at the NEC in Birmingham next month.

They had to design robots that can throw objects and have been working on their projects in their own free time.

Paul Carr, head of design technology, said: “They started building last April when the competition was announced and have building right through the summer and throughout. They are the North-East regional champions and that is two years in a row that Tanfield has won the tournament trophies.

“They have worked really hard and I am really proud of them.”

If the teams are successful in the national finals they get the chance to go to the world finals in Kentucky, USA, in April.

Last year, the school made the semi-finals in the national competition and was sponsored by TDR Training on the Team Valley in Gateshead and Stanley Town Council.

Mr Carr said more support is needed to help pupils with travel expenses and equipment required.

To sponsor the young people get in touch with Mr Carr at the school by calling 01207-232-881.