YOUNG engineers from a Suffolk school have scooped the top prize in a national robotics competition.Now the Young Engineers Club at Trimley St Martin Primary is hoping to get to an international event in Atlanta in America - if the group of budding technophiles can land around £10,000 in sponsorship.

YOUNG engineers from a Suffolk school have scooped the top prize in a national robotics competition.

Now the Young Engineers Club at Trimley St Martin Primary is hoping to get to an international event in Atlanta in America - if the group of budding technophiles can land around £10,000 in sponsorship.

The club have already won through regional and national events in the First Lego League (FLL) Challenge and as national champions are eligible to take their place as one of 84 teams in Atlanta.

The themes are always based on improving the world we live in and the constructive use of a robot - this year the challenge was focussed on the saving of energy resources and use of alternative energy.

Club leader Derek Edwards said: “The team has spent three after-school sessions a week during the autumn gaining an understanding of where our energy comes from, why we need to be careful how we use it and methods of alternative energy.

“They then had to survey the use of energy at the school and recommend ways of conserving energy including possible future use of solar panels, wind turbines and even newer ideas.

“Energy issues are front page news these days, so this has been an excellent educational topic as well as a fun and challenging project.

“As if this wasn't enough, the team also had to design, build and program an advanced autonomous Lego robot and attachments capable of undertaking a series of complex tabletop missions, all on the theme of energy.”

Any organisation or individual who can help the youngsters raise £10,000 for the trip across the Atlantic should contact Derek Edwards at the school by email, tsm.roboteam@btinternet.com or call 01394 448313.