Build a cable car to cross an imaginary river.

That was the task facing 17 teams from six secondary schools at the Young Technology Tournament at Romsey’s Crosfield Hall last week.

In the end it was a team from the Test Valley School in Stockbridge who came up with the best solution in the event organised by the Rotary Club of Romsey Test.

Test Valley also provided the second-place team – making it a proud day for their teacher Darren Allsopp They saw off competition from Romsey School, Mountbatten School, St Annes Catholic School in Southampton, Hamble College and Andover Harrow Way School. A group of teachers and two groups of Rotarians also took part in the challenge.

Teams had a range of available parts and materials including pulleys, wood, screws, glue, paper, rubber bands, string and an electric motor and a battery pack and were given four hours to construct a transport to deliver a miniature Shelterbox rescue package.

Marks were awarded for team work, design, and accuracy in the construction of the load-carrying vehicle and how it performed the task.

Head judge, Rotarian Mike Thorne, was joined by Dr Janice Turner (chartered physicist) formerly of Chemring Technology at Roke Manor and Rotarians David Upton and Roger Shepherd. Third place was won by a team from Mountbatten and St Annes received a special mention for their fourth-placed effort.

Rotarian Martin Harman, who led the organising team, said: “We hope that pupils considering a future in engineering, science or technology will be encouraged by the creative energy of the competition to see how satisfying, rewarding and fun such a career can be" he added.

The event was sponsored by Chemring Technology Solutions and Wheelers Coaches.