Toy designs prove winners for young pupils

Two young pupils at Middleton Parish Primary School have won their way through to the finals of a national competition to design a children's toy.

Eight-year-old Oliver Crompton came first and Chloe Grant, also eight, won third prize in the PlaySafe 2007 competition regional finals, and their winning designs will now be judged against entries from all over the country.

The aim of the competition was to design, on an A3 piece of paper, a toy or game for children aged three to seven, highlighting all its safety, play and child development features. The toy had to be for indoor or outdoor use and also had to highlight any features for children with special needs.

Oliver won a £25 voucher for himself and a £75 voucher for his school, whilst Chloe also picked up a £25 voucher, with a £50 voucher for the school.

School headteacher Mrs Brenda Rogerson said: "We are so proud of these children. Their ideas were very original and we hope it will encourage them to use the skills again in the future.

"The competition was also an excellent opportunity to discuss marketing/packaging with the children, hopefully making them wiser consumers!"

The youngsters' designs will be judged at the national final at the Trading Standards Institute Annual Conference being held in Manchester next month.

There are prizes for two age group winners and their schools and £1,000 of IT equipment of their choice for their school.