SIX young designers had an unexpected surprise when they won first prize in a regional competition.

The group, from Tanfield School, near Stanley, turned up at Newcastle Airport for a ride in a helicopter, but discovered they were getting a flying lesson.

The team, which won the Students' Innovation Challenge, took the controls of a twin-seat helicopter.

They cruised at 1,000 feet over landmarks including the Angel of the North, the Millennium Bridge, the Baltic arts centre and Newcastle United's St James' Park.

Year ten student, Vicky Glendinning, said at first she was the most apprehensive of the three girls and three boys but overcame her fears.

She said: "When I noticed that I had control of the helicopter it was an amazing feeling. The helicopter moved at the slightest touch and the view was just fantastic."

The innovation challenge, hosted by Foresight North East, aimed to encourage creativity and innovation in the classroom.

Organisers hoped that, by giving the students a bird's eye view of the developments along the Tyne, it would inspire the students to take up careers in design.

Tanfield's winning entry was the development of a smart card system to help in the fight against bogus callers. The students worked with Durham Constabulary and smart card design company, Goal Card.

Flight training was provided by Northumbria Helicopters and included a 30-minute briefing and 20-minute flight over Tyneside. Instructor Allan Bryers, took each trainee pilot though the basics before handing over the controls.

He said: "It is exhilarating to see students take the controls and fly the helicopter for the first time.

"I hope it fills them with confidence and inspires them to achieve things they had never imagined."

Head of design and technology at Tanfield School, Andrew Peak, said: "These students will remember this day for the rest of their lives, but Students' Innovation Chellenge has been providing great practical support to the curriculum all year round by involving industry in education."

Schools wanting to take part next year can visit the website, www.studentinnovationchallenge.com