STUDENTS from Preston have been building submarines as part of a Science and Technology Day.

Pupils at Priory Technology College in Crow Hills Road, Penwortham, were challenged by staff and workers from BAE Systems from Warton and Samlesbury to design and build a 'pleasure submarine' in one day.

Ian Tindsley, head of technology at the college, said: "The challenge was originally started by BAE Systems a few years ago and it's good to get the year nine pupils involved. Once in the past they have been challenged to build aircraft."

Starting from scratch, the 14-year-olds had to design their vessels on Friday morning. Some 200 children in 20 teams had to build scale models of their submarines, to be judged by teachers and BAE staff. Winners of the competition were the Courageous team and the Artful team -- both named after Royal Navy submarines.

Mr Tindsley added: "The day gave the children the chance to develop an understanding of engineering. The models we ended up with were as far away from a typical submarine as you can imagine. Then as a prize for the two winning teams we are taking them paint balling. The challenging part of the day was over."