JOINING the rat race is something few people want to do but for some pupils from four local schools that is all they wanted.

The rat race, though, wasn't life in the fast lane but a competition featuring specially designed robot rodents.

Pupils from Duffryn High, Newport, St Cenydd Comprehensive, Caerphilly, Croesyceiliog Comprehensive, and Risca Comprehensive, took part.

The school teams had designed nine robotic mice between them to race in the MicroMouse competition organised by ELWa (Education and Learning Wales) and the University of Wales College, Newport.

Study rooms at UWCN's Allt-yr-yn campus were transformed into a pit zone and track zone as the 20 pupils aged 14-16 finely tuned their rodents before the intense and fiercely fought competition commenced.

The first race was a Formula 3 challenge during which the nine robots raced around a track. The second challenge was based on a drag race. There were also prizes for the best presented robots.

The winner of the Formula 3 race was the Duffryn High School team who were followed in second and third place by entries from Risca Comprehensive. In the drag race the team from St Cenydd came first with the Duffryn team second and the Risca team third. The team from Croesyceiliog were given first and second places for the best presented robot with Risca also once again getting on the 'podium' in third place.

The teams were presented with certificates and received more than £250 in prize money.

*PICTURED: The Croesyceiliog entry which won first and second places for the best presented robot