FOUR young scientists from a Teesside school have won a chemistry award.

The pupils from Teesside High School, in Eaglescliffe, competed in the Salters Festival of Chemistry, held at the Stockton campus of the University of Durham.

Taking part were Beth Tyrie, 12, from Guisborough, Nirupama Harikumar, 12, from Billingham, 13-year-old Sarah Braithwaite, from Marton, and Jane Larcombe, also 13, from Sedgefield, County Durham.

In their first challenge, they had to complete chemical tests to identify five substances, in which they scored highly.

In the afternoon's University Challenge session, they had to investigate the densities of liquids. Their work was assessed by judges from the university staff and from industry.

Chemistry teacher Sue Swalwell said: "Although they were allowed an hour to complete the challenge, they finished in just over ten minutes."

The team won the University Challenge, with the girls each receiving a certificate and a calculator, and also earning £100 for their school.

Mrs Swalwell said: "I was almost more excited than they were at their success.

"It was wonderful teamwork from a talented group of young chemists."