A FATHER and son are taking part in one of the toughest construction challenges known to man... using Lego.

Nicolas and Kobe Geeraert have always had a love for the coloured bricks, but to them they are much more than just a children’s toy.

Mr Geeraert, 41, who is a senior lecturer in Psychology at the University of Essex, is a member of an adult Lego group, Brickish, which includes members from all over the UK.

Taking their hobby to the extreme, he and his son Kobe, 13, have made it into the third round of Channel 4’s Lego Masters.

The series is hosted by DJ and TV presenter Melvin Odoom. Each programme tests a wide array of disciplines from the playful to the technical, and judging is led by Matthew Ashton, vice president of design for the Lego Group.

Joining Matthew in each round are an array of expert judges from the fields of engineering, art and design and guest celebrity Lego fans.

Mr Geeraert, from Wivenhoe, said he heard about the show at his Lego group.

He said: “It’s a world you probably didn’t know existed.

“I played with Lego as a kid and when my son was born after a couple of years he got his first Lego set.

“It was an excuse to start playing with it again.

“It’s very much a father and son venture.”

Nicolas and Kobe often build together, which allows them to bounce off ideas and improve each other’s work.

He said: “It’s a creative medium. Many people think about it as a children’s toy, which it originally was, but you can create anything and you can liken it to an art form.”

In the first round the duo made a life-sized chair to accompany a banquet, which included a Lego hog’s head.

Their next challenge was themed around movement, and they impressed judges with their fairground rides.

Mr Geeraert said: “We built a funfair with a swing ride and a moving shooting bird game. It’s mostly lifesize but the funfair was miniature.”

Nature was the theme of Thursday’s challenge. The five remaining teams completed as many miniature unique and identifiable insects, birds and wild animals as possible in surprise 15 minute intervals, using no more than 15 bricks per creature.

In the final episode, the three remaining teams take part in the ultimate Pure Imagination Challenge where, in an unplanned build, they are challenged to create a build which reflects the inner workings of a child’s storytelling imagination.

Mr Geeraert said: “I’m a bit nervous, the competition is quite fierce and the teams left are very solid. Anyone could go out.”

Lego Masters is shown on Thursdays at 8pm on Channel 4.

Nicolas and Kobe’s masterpieces can be seen on the catch-up service, All 4.