PUPILS from Chipping Sodbury will be using their technical skills to fend off competition in a national design competition.

The whizz-kids from Chipping Sodbury School will compete in the Audi Innovation Awards against 25 entrants in the competition to be held next month.

Competition is expected to be fierce as more than 25 entrants battle for a personal laptop computer and £2,000 for their school.

The winning teacher will also have the opportunity to visit Audi's iconic design studio in Germany and spend some time in a German school.

Design and technology teacher Andy Reid said: "These tasks have specifically been developed to encourage creativity and imagination from young people. One challenge is to design a spizzle. A spizzle is whatever you want it to be.

Pupils are asked to focus their minds on what comes into their heads when they write or hear the word.

"Another challenge is to design a vehicle for the future which can travel along both land and water."

The students who have entered will have their projects scrutinised by a judging panel made up of local designers and design educationalists.

A maximum of 25 entrants will be chosen to display their work in a semi-final at Bristol Audi in Whitby Road, Pioneer Park, on February 4.

Audi design foundation manager Michael Farmer said: "Young people love to be challenged creatively and are bursting with novel and innovative ideas.

"The awards challenge students to be expressive, and rewards them by exhibiting their wonderful creations and giving prizes.

"Ultimately we would like as many students as possible to develop creative skills whether they decide to make their career in the exciting field of design or take an alternative route.

"Creative thinking is an essential skill required by all employers in the 21st century."