PUPILS at Ashwater Primary School were delighted to win first prize in a problem solving competition, which was sponsored by the North Devon Manufacturers Association and North Devon Plus.

Each school that entered the ‘Spaghetti Challenge’ was given 10 marshmallows and a handful of spaghetti in order to build a tower to see which entrant could hold the most eggs.

This competition was designed to not only develop problem-solving skills, but to also encourage children to work as a small group to find a solution at a practical level within a 15-minute timeframe.

Infant teacher Sarah Newstead said: “I am very proud of the children; they had a very practical approach to the problem and demonstrated a flair for the technology involved.

“The children on the School Council have decided to spend the £25 prize money on Lego, which is very appropriate as it can be used in Design and Technology lessons.”

Harriet Moon and Keeley and Lauren Cann constructed the winning entry.