BUILDING a spacebuggy was the challenge for budding young engineers at the weekend.

Eight primary schools from north and west Wiltshire competed in the local heats of the annual Junior Engineers for Britain K'Nex Challenge at St Augustine's Catholic College, Trowbridge, on Saturday.

The eventual winners were Henry Strang, 10, and Daniel Richer, 11, from St Patrick's RC in Corsham.

Teacher Mary Earing said: "We do encourage an interest in technology and the children really enjoy the K'Nex Challenge."

The youngsters were given the task of building a model buggy measuring no more than 30cms by 15cms and capable of holding 500g. The buggy had to have space for four astronauts and have a roof, four doors and at least four wheels.

The teams were given just an hour-and-a-half to design and build a vehicle to carry astronauts and their equipment over the rough and uneven surface of the moon. The winning team narrowly triumphed over Anthony Ashby, 11, and Bianco Watts, 11, from Monkton Farleigh Primary School, with third place going to Saifeddine Benamar, 10, and nine-year-old Christopher Connor from Studley Green Primary School, Trowbridge.

K'Nex engineering kits donated by St Augustine's were awarded to the winners.

The winning schools from the local heats will go on to compete in the regional heats, to be held at Bath University in July.