TEAMS of budding engineers used rocket power to bring mathematics and the physics of motion to life.

Pupils from schools across Greater Manchester descended on Bury Transport Museum for an annual competition to design, make and race their own rocket cars.

Winners Elton High School were joined by Darwen Aldridge Community Academy and Calder High School among others schools, for the regional final of the Race for the Line contest, which encourages 11 and 12-year-olds to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.

The Race for the Line initiative is supported by East Lancashire Railway and Bury Transport Museum, whose volunteers hosted the event.

Mike Kelly, chairman of East Lancashire Railway said: "We were delighted to host the regional final at Bury Transport Museum. Our collection explores the history of transport from horse drawn vehicles, to steam power and beyond.

“The development of transport has always been about how engineers can improve the design of vehicles, and how we can make them faster and more efficient. Race to the Line challenges young people to apply their knowledge of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to create innovative designs.

"It was a real treat to see young people engaging and sharing experiences with the museum team, and experts from the RAF."

To qualify for the event, schools hosted their own races, with each school submitting their two fastest teams to the regional final at Bury Transport Museum.

The fastest teams – Elton 2 (Elton High School), Supersonic and CR7 (Pleckgate High School) and I Can C U (Calder High School) — will take part in the national final on June 27 at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford, Cambridge.