DOZENS of families from across Suffolk descended on an Ipswich high school on a mission to build their own robots.Household junk found a new purpose, as mechanical fighters took form at Holywells High on Saturday, in the only event of its kind in the county.

By Tracey Sparling

DOZENS of families from across Suffolk descended on an Ipswich high school on a mission to build their own robots.

Household junk found a new purpose, as mechanical fighters took form at Holywells High on Saturday, in the only event of its kind in the county.

BBC Robot Wars roboteers Rex Garrod – builder of the famous Cassius series of robots, and Eric and Roy Alcock were on hand to give demonstrations and advice clinics during the day.

Organiser Mike Hardman of Holywells High School said: "We teamed up with the BBC and a range of local community organisations, to bring together local expertise to encourage a family interest in robot building. This turn may stimulate a broader interest in technology and engineering as a career path for young people."

Participants took part in a competition, received free robot-building kits plus the opportunity to build it with help from the experts. The prize included a games CD packed with ideas on how to build a robot from household materials.

Free robot-building workshops will be held for families who took part on Saturday, on October 22 and November 5, from 2.30pm to 5.30pm at the school.

A final 'techno games' event will be hosted at the school on November 8, with expertly-made robots also in action.

The event was supported by PC World, Suffolk Education Business Partnership, Ipswich Transport Museum, Ipswich museum and Ipswich Engineering Society, and organised in association with Suffolk College, Suffolk institute of technology and other organisations.