A TEAM of science pupils from Palatine High School in Blackpool have been burning the midnight oil -- literally -- to make it through to the final of a national agricultural competition.

And to top it off, their findings could now be used as a case study for the next British Crop Protection Council (BCPC) national conference.

The Food and Farming Challenge, organised by the BCPC, invited businesses and organisations connected with food, farming and the environment to set problem solving tasks for young people in the community

And Palatine made it through the regional finals with flying colours.

Julie Saunders, deputy head of science at Palatine, said the school's challenge was: "To investigate which crops could replace existing sources of energy, and produce an information leaflet and internet site to encourage farmers to grow such crops."

In other words, they were required to investigate which crop would be best, economically and environmentally, to burn to provide energy. The group of year ten pupils spent regular lessons over a nine month period researching the project.

This involved a meeting at Myerscough Agricultural College near Preston, and research via books and internet sites.

Julie went on to say how the group then undertook practical experiments in the lab, and despite attempts at burning several different crops, they discovered seeds gave off the most energy.

She said: "We tested different crops by burning them and heating a pot of water, and oilseed rape seemed the best and most cost-efficient."

In the end they discovered that the oil from rape could be converted to a special "biodiesel" fuel, but unfortunately mass production would be difficult due to the tremendous amount of rape that would need to be grown.

At the regional final the group had to present their results and answer questions from a panel of judges at Myerscough college, which David Hegarty and Samantha Adams are pictured here preparing for.

As they have now been selected as regional winners they will now attend the final in September.