A HiGH-tech expert has been invited to judge an international computer design competition in America.

Professor Alan Clements, from the University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, will assess computer design entries from all over the world.

The academic, from Acklam, Middlesbrough, will chair the executive committee of the Computer Society International Design Competition, organised by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, of America. The competition is open to undergraduate computing students who are challenged to design an appliance which will improve health care, for prize money of almost £20,000.

Prof Clements, of the university's school of computing and mathematics, said: "I'm honoured to be asked to chair this competition.

"I'm in the company of a judging panel comprising world-famous computer and engineering academics and experts.

"The competition attracts high calibre entrants from around the world and is unique in that the students actually design a prototype that is significant to everyday life.

"For example, this year's winners designed and implemented a portable compact heart-monitoring device, which has every chance of going into production.

"The students are using the technology of tomorrow to solve problems of today.''