STUDENTS put their thinking caps on to build bridges out of little more than paper and toilet rolls.

Teams from six secondary schools battled it out at Greendown School in a race against time to build the longest possible bridge with basic building materials in the Swindon Interschool Build a Bridge Challenge.

The bridges built by each team of four must be able to carry a weight of 50gm.

The challenge, which was being co-sponsored by Omega Selection Services, the Swindon Chamber of Commerce and the Bristol and West Engineering and Manufacturing Association, was designed to help students grasp the fundamental aspects of design and manufacture and encourage them to experiment with their engineering knowledge.

Dennis Grant, Chief Executive of the Swindon Chamber of Commerce, said: "This challenge showed students that good design requires innovative thinking, excellent teamwork and the will to succeed when things get tricky.

"But it also shows them that engineering can be at the cutting edge, hugely rewarding and enormous fun. I'm sure they had a great day."

The winners were four year nine pupils from Ridgeway School in Wroughton led by design technology teacher Simon Freeman. They were James Armstrong, Jessica Offer, Jenny Pound and Danny White.