BRAINBOXES have taken their first robotic competition by storm.

Pupils from Thomas Lord Audley in Monkwick Avenue, Colchester took on the rest of the region in Middlesex.

The youngsters had to design and create a robot controlled by a wireless remote, which could pick up bean bags from the floor and put them in a holder about one metre off the ground.

In their first competition the team finished second and will compete for a place in the world championships held in the USA when they appear at the national final in the Excel Centre in London on March 14 and March 15.

Claire Fisher, who co-ordinated the school’s entry, said: “This is a great achievement.

“I think our strength is the simplicity of our robot.

“We did not expect to do so well but we’re so pleased.”