A TEAM of students have won a place at the Land Rover 4x4 in Schools national finals with a miniature, radio-controlled vehicle they have designed and built.

The four students from Hummersknott Academy achieved success at the North East Regional Finals of the education challenge held at UTC South Durham.

Over several months, student teams use software coding to design and build a remote-controlled scale model four-wheel-drive all-terrain vehicle capable of negotiating obstacles and road surfaces.

Team manager Alex Mason, 14, said: “We’re overwhelmed as we really didn’t expect to win and go through to the national finals. We won the entry class last year, so moving up to the development class was a big jump. Doing the entry class had definitely helped us for this year. We’ve got to work on our towbar and our pit display, but we also want to look for some more sponsors as well.”

Design and technology teacher Ian Tissington added: "I am delighted with the way that "Traction" have responded to the competition this year. After winning the North East Regional Finals in 2018 they have really upped their game and worked hard on some of the more technical aspects of the project, such as the electronics and adapting the suspension. They are working exceptionally well as a team. The competition has brought out some amazing qualities in the competitors which will be useful in future years and I would recommend all schools to take part if they have the opportunity."

The national finals will be held at the British Motor Museum in Warwickshire on March 6 and 7.