Young engineers from West Cumbria have been taking part in this year's technology tournament.

The event at Hunday Manor near Workington, organised by Rotary, was one of 10 such competitions taking place across the north of England. 

Tony Wareing, the area organiser for Workington Rotary Club, said: "We started planning this last September.

"It's been going for about nine years.

"It's to encourage the kids to get an interest in technology.

"They had a fantastic talk by the chief judge, Keith Hemming, who told them about all the things that had been invented in this country an so there was no reason why they shouldn't be inventing things here today." 

This year's challenge involved building a model bridge over a road, a river and a canal that could carry a kilogram weight in a toy truck.

Among the 18 teams taking part was a group from Cockermouth School. One of its year eight pupils, Ashley Hinchey said: "We're making our bridge out of wood and hard card. It's going really well.

"We've finished the main structure and now we're decorating it.

"I'm not sure whether we'll win a prize because there are some really good teams here." 

The other teams taking part came from Keswick, Whitehaven, St Joseph's, Energy Coast UTC and Gen2. 

The pupils were assessed for their planning, design analysis, design development and realisation of the plans.

Graham Ansell, design technology teacher at Cockermouth School, also took part in one of three teachers' teams.

He said: "It's a great opportunity for them to be challenged, to work as a team because they're not necessarily working with their friends, to use the skills they've learned during key stage three and now four.

"I'm very thankful to Rotary for providing this opportunity because there isn't the money in schools these days to have these days out. We're very fortunate to have it in the area." 

The event was sponsored by Shepley Engineers, Workington Town Council, Iggesund and Sellafield Ltd.