A TALENTED group of robot-building students are today looking forward to taking their prize-winning creations to competitions in America and Japan.The six girls from Amberfield School in Ipswich recently picked up the title of Lego League Robotics UK Champions.

A TALENTED group of robot-building students are today looking forward to taking their prize-winning creations to competitions in America and Japan.

The six girls from Amberfield School in Ipswich recently picked up the title of Lego League Robotics UK Champions.

And the same brainy group of 12 and 13-year-olds also scooped the UK Robocup Junior Robotic Dance award at the recent finals held at Cranfield University in Bedfordshire. The team was required to choreograph, design and build the robot as well as programming its dance routine.

The double-award salvo now means they will be jetting across the Atlantic to Atlanta, USA, in April for the international finals of the Lego League competition, before travelling to Osaka, Japan, in July for the finals of the Robocup contest.

The Amberfield team consists of Jenny Blay, Heather Charles, Josie Hughes, Sophie Kennelly, Robyn Venmore-Rowland and Nina Venmore-Rowland.

Dr Nicky Hughes, the teacher co-ordinating the project, said that the two competitions were for students under 16, making their achievements all the more impressive.

She said: "The pupils were absolutely stunned when they found out they had won.

"The Lego League award was a bit of a surprise but with the Robocup award I was confident because I looked around and saw their robot was streets ahead of the rest.

"They are busy working on them at the moment. The project has been really involving."

The girls have already secured the funding for the trip to America, but are keen to hear from businesses willing to give them financial backing for the competition in Japan.

Dr Hughes said: "Atlanta will be an amazing competition. All the top universities of the world will be there and it will be a great opportunity for out students."

If you would like to sponsor the girls, call Amberfield School on 01473 659265.