A robot designed by children from a Calne school to make life easier for elderly people was runner-up in the regional heat of the national LEGOleague competition.

The robot, created by Year 6 pupils from St Margaret’s Preparatory School, was put through its paces at a competition at the HP laboratory in Bristol and the team was awarded the runner-up trophy in the robot design category.

Teacher Richard Sawyer, who is head of ICT at the school, said: "The judges liked the fact that the design integrated all the attachments needed to complete each challenge, so the team saved time as they didn’t have to reconfigure the robot for each mission." 

The team from St Margaret’s also designed an electronic door system to save pensioners from having to leave their chair to answer the front door bell.

The children were taking part in the 2012 First LEGOLeague regional competition and got inspiration for their designs after visiting The Firs Care Home in Calne, to talk to the elderly residents.

The St Margaret’s team of ten was supported by the rest of their classmates and wore T-shirts they designed themselves, with the slogan SOS – Save Our Seniors.

Headteacher Karen Cordon said: "The team worked very hard under the guidance of teachers Richard Sawyer and Georgina Gibson and I am delighted with the result."