Pupils from two Bradford schools have used the appliance of science to engineer their way to national recognition.

Teams of six-formers from Bradford Girls Grammar School and Bingley's Beckfoot Grammar School have won through to the final of an engineering competition which is to be held in Birmingham on Monday.

The competition, organised by the Young Engineers network of clubs and The Machine Tool Technologies Association, required entrants to design and produce a product with the help of computer technology and also to work with local industry in the development of the product.

The schools will put Bradford engineering firmly on the map when they take two of the seven finalist places when they give their presentation to judges at Birmingham NEC on Monday.

The seven-strong Bradford Girls' Grammar School team, headed by 15-year-old Sally Twistleton, from Guiseley, designed and produced a novel differential called the Skid Busta.

The innovative design enables vehicles such as go-karts, off-road trikes and even powered wheelchairs to go around corners without skidding.

Dave Ham, BGGS technology teacher, said: "We're really proud of them, it's wonderful. The design has worked so well that we've taken a patent out on it, it could even go on to be produced commercially."

The team, made up by Caroline Sherrard, Vanessa Heaton, Mina Chima, Alex Watson, Juliana Bolton and Becky Davies, fulfilled one of the aims of the challenge - to work with industry - by forging links with steel cutting firm NG Bailey to produce the final entry.

Pupils at Beckfoot Grammar School are also in the running to scoop the winner's prize on Monday with their computer controlled acrylic 3D puzzle.

The three-man team, including Harjit Sanghera, Richard Sheard and Adam Clegg worked closely with Keighley firm Landis-Lund apprentices Carl and Craig Lawson to create and build the maze puzzle.

Jim Schofield, Beckfoot's Head of Technology, said: "The lads have done very well, they have been very focused and its been a very interesting liaison with industry for them."

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