Five students from Sandbach High School and Sixth Form College are through to the finals of a prestigious competition founded by Tomorrow World's Maggie Philbin OBE.

Junior category finalists are Cate Rook and Hannah Leather while Ameilia Paton, Abi White and Megan Joyce are all finalists in the senior category of the Teentech awards.

The awards are for students 11 to 16 and 17 to 19 and are aimed at innovators who come up with an idea to make life easier, simpler or better or a skill they would like to showcase.

This year the school entered seven projects. Cate Rock's innovative product recycling sink waste water impressed judges in the Energy and Environment category while Hannah ticked boxes in the safety and security category with her multifunctional fire extinguisher.

In the senior category, Ameilia Paton impressed judges with her walking aid for suffers of sarcopenia in the Best Innovation category while Abi White's play area equipment for disabled children is through the final in the Best Innovation category along with Megan Joyce for her nature inspired desk, also in the Best Innovation category.

If successful in the next stage, they will be invited to a winner's reception at Buckingham Palace.

Sandbach High School and Sixth Form College headteacher Ellen Walton, said: "We have a long history here in celebrating STEM and technology success. We are really proud of our staff and students."

Dan Massey, the school's Technology said: "Nothing, not even a global pandemic can stop our students' ingenuity and creativity. They have risen to the Teentech

Challenge to 'make life easier, simpler or better' tackling issues such as muscle wastage and water waste."