PRIMARY school children have been named as some of the best performing maths minds in the UK.

Talented youngsters from St Peter's Primary School, in Coggeshall, have made it through to the finals of a national competition at Cambridge University.

The National Young Mathematicians' Awards saw about 500 schools take part in this year's competition, of which the five highest scoring have been put into the finals.

Pupils Kirsten Smith, Tilly Sharp, Dominic Romano-Critchley and George Robertson all earned a place and will take part in the final round on Wednesday.

The team will also get the chance to meet TV presenter and author Stefan Gates who is the 2016 ambassador for the awards.

He said: "I’m delighted to be teaming up with Explore Learning for this year’s National Young Mathematicians’ Awards.

"I am so excited for the final battle and to see some of the nation’s best young minds at work.

"To be brilliant at maths is an invaluable skill and this competition is a fantastic way of encouraging more children to develop those skills and enjoy their talent."

The winners will be presented with their trophy by Mr Gates, who has made sixteen TV series and is an author of six books including Gastronaut and Incredible Edibles.

Charlotte Gater, head of curriculum at Explore Learning said: "The competition has seen a great level of talent this year, the St Peter’s C of E Primary School team should be extremely proud of themselves.

"We saw some brilliant displays of team work and mathematical prowess up and down the country, only the very best have made it to the final and it is set to be an incredibly close run. Good luck to all of the fantastic finalists taking part."

Last year 490 schools participated in the competition.

For more information visit explorelearning.co.uk/schools/national-young-mathematicians-awards