Young Cockermouth designers enjoy battle of the bridges

The Rotary Club's annual design and technology competition was the 20th organised by Des McNichol.

Seven Year 6 schools took part in the event at All Saints' School.

Rotary president Julia Mather with winners Paddle School (Image: Trevor Earthy)

Each team had to make a transporter bridge like the one over the River Tees in Teeside.

They were then timed to see how long it took to transport a toy tractor across the bridge.

President Julia Mather said: "It was fabulous, this is ex-Rotarian Des McNichol's swansong after 20 years of leading the event.

"He puts in so much work, producing all the D and T kits, explaining to the children what they have to build.

D&T veteran Des McNichol, who has notched up 20 years of competitions (Image: Trevor Earthy)

"All the teams did so well. The children were delightful, so involved and they loved the challenge.

"It was great to see them all succeed."

There were two teams from All Saints and one from Paddle, Brigham, Great Broughton, Bridekirk Dovenby and Great Broughton.

Eaglesfield Paddle School were the winners with an impressive time of 24.25 seconds.

"It was quite a close run thing," said Julia, who presented the winners with a Cockermouth Toy Shop gift voucher and some Easter eggs.

Working hard in the D&T contest (Image: Trevor Earthy)

The Rotary Club organises various events for young people and will be staging a primary schools' football competition at Tarn Close, on May 14.

"It's tremendously important to have a link with the children, they are our future," said Julia.