BUDDING scientists and inventors were rewarded for their ingenuity at The Big Bang South West awards ceremony last week.

Maiden Beech Academy had two entries, one of which, called Poop Snoopers, won and will compete with other regional winners at Birmingham NEC for the chance to win prizes worth more than £50,000.

The school’s other entry, Totally Tasty, was not quite as successful but science leader Louise Ridgley said just exhibiting work was a really good experience.

She added: “We have children across the whole ability range and when they go back to school and say how much fun they’ve had, the children coming through next year will want to get involved.”

The annual fair showcases about 130 projects produced by 450 students at schools and colleges across the South-West.