RESCUE vehicles to transport survival supplies across a ravine were constructed by students at an annual technology competition.

Pupils took part in the Basingstoke Rotary clubs’ Technology Tournament, held at Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT).

Teams were given different levels of difficulty for their task dependent on their age group, with the hardest challenge involving designing and making a vehicle powered by an electric motor and pulleys to transport and eject the load to people stranded following a natural disaster.

Students designed and made their vehicles in the morning ready for testing in the afternoon.

They were given basic materials and tools and were offered technical advice from a team of engineers.

Chris Flemming, who organised the event, said: “Encouraging students to have the confidence to solve engineering problems is important for the future of the design and manufacturing industry in this country.

“A number of the teams were successful in getting their supplies across the ravine successfully and the expression on their faces at the end was a sight to behold.”

The event was jointly organised by Basingstoke Loddon, Basingstoke Dean and Basingstoke Rotary clubs.

Prizes were awarded to the winning teams at the end of the day, presented by the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Councillor Roger Gardiner and Mike Jackson, district governor of Rotary.

Cranbourne Business and Enterprise College, in Wessex Close, won the Foundation Class, The Costello School won the Immediate Class and Queen Mary’s College won the Advanced Class.