A Cockermouth teacher decided to mark British Science Week with her school's own Invention Convention.

Fairfield Primary School teacher Erin Strickland said: "As the school's STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) coordinator I was looking around for something exciting to do.

"I felt that including technology, engineering and maths would be an exciting challenge for the children and give them an opportunity to work collaboratively through a creative process."

Each year group was set a challenge, such as "imaginary machines" and "inventions to help someone".

"All the children were required to complete a design board to accompany their creations, using the creative process of ask, imagine, plan, create, improve," said Mrs Strickland.

The children were inspired by speakers who had visited the school during the week to talk about scientific inventions and innovation.

In total 310 children took part, from years one to six.

"The children spent last week working on their inventions and have amazed us with their independence and problem-solving skills," said Mrs Strickland.

Sellafield STEM ambassadors Adam Chivers and Emma Atherton judged the inventions.

Mrs Strickland said: "There were no winners as such, just a selected number to go on display in the hall where parents were invited to come and view them."

Parents were also invited to look around the classrooms where all children were taking part in science activities.

Miss Strickland said: "The Invention Convention has been a huge success and we have had great support from our parents who have worked with the children at home and provided materials for our incredible designs.

"I hope to make it an annual event as I feel it has really benefited the children and allowed their imaginations to run wild."