YOUNG scientists from St Augustine's RC High School have won through to the finals of a national schools science competition.

The Billington school is one of only 18 to make it to the closing stages of the BNFL-sponsored competition.

Organised by the Association for Science Education (ASE), the competition has three stages.

In the first, the St Augustine's pupils and their teacher, Joanna Rutter, planned and carried out a scientific investigation entitled 'Washday Wizards.' They then presented their findings and submitted them for judging.

On the strength of that submission they have gained a place at the Science Challenge Funday, to be held in Leeds, where they will perform a drama about their investigation, take part in another mini-investigation and, finally, compete in a quiz.