While it wasn’t quite the Grand Prix, pupils from Chippenham’s Harden-huish School had three days of fun building and racing their own go-karts last week.

The 26 students from Years 7 to 9 put together their vehicles and raced them in a soap-box derby, as part of the school’s activity week.

The Scrapheap Challenge-style competition included tests of agility, speed and steadiness, which was checked by seeing how much water spilled out of buckets while going fast.

School graphic designer Sadie Fisher, who helped to organise the day, said: “The whole thing was the brainchild of teachers Richard Baker and Ursula Cook.

“Mr Baker had been collecting a stash of spare bits and pieces for a scrapheap that all the children could use. He had everything from old bikes, discarded wheels, metal, computers, Hoovers and even a Wendy house that the pupils raided to build their go-karts.”

Ms Fisher said the day had been a resounding success with all of the pupils.

“It was brilliant, particularly the speed test, where they pushed the go-karts down the bank in front of the school.”

She said the only disappointment was the lack of girls who wanted to take part.

“We had all boys and no girls, which was a shame.

“I think the girls would have loved it if they had given it a chance.

“Mr Baker and Mrs Cook went to a lot of effort and put together a wonderful few days.”

Winning team, The Off-Roaders, were awarded with a trophy designed by their teachers.