EAGER pupils waited with bated breath as their homemade scrap machine made its first plunge into the water - without sinking.

The machine, developed from a kit-car, is able to drive on land and sea.

And on Friday, two young drivers from Pershore High School will be driving it as part of a national challenge to be crowned Scrapheap Challenge champions.

Pupils and teachers from the school gathered at Hanbury Wharf yesterday when Ashley Bird and Tom Hunt gave a clear run through the water, although there were a few small engine problems.

"It went really well," said Ashley's father Robert Bird, who built the machine along with Tom's father Chris Hunt.

"At least it didn't sink. There were a few small engine problems but I'm sure we can sort those by Friday."

The scrapheap machine was built after the school decided to take up the challenge set by the BBC's Scrapheap Challenge programme, asking schools, universities and industries to design and build a machine to beat the experts.

Four challenges were set and the Station Road school has entered The Amphibious Mud and Sea Racing Machine category - to build a vehicle that can travel across hard sand, soft sand and water.

The "Geronimo" competition races will be filmed and form part of a major series to be shown on BBC2 in January next year.

"It is a father and son team effort and the school has sponsored us," said Mr Bird, who runs Himbleton Garage and Scrapyard.

"Originally, the kids at the school were going to be more involved, but because of health and safety we could not do this and so we built it and the school is sponsoring us."

Students have been involved as consultants and have designed the team name and logo - Pershore High Beach Stormers.

The machine has been built from a kit-car, which has been developed with a propellor and rear engine.

The boys will have to ride one kilometre in the craft - two thirds across Blackpool beach and the final third in the sea during the races on Friday.

"Our involvement in the Geronimo competition is a fine example of the community links that are such an important part of our work at Pershore High School," said headteacher Clive Corbett.

"I would like to wish our team every best success in the project."

Fearne Cotton, from CBBC and Top of the Pops, will present the programme with Dick Strawbridge, a past champion of Scrapheap Challenge.