YOUNGSTERS at Abbey High School rocketed to success when they beat five other schools in an explosive competition.

Contestants turned up at Abbey High School on Sunday morning to build the rockets. They then launched them at Bridley Moor High School's football pitches in the afternoon.

Their brief was to build a rocket that could carry one fresh hen's egg and return it to earth without breaking it, also known as 'egg lofting'.

The event, organised by British Areospace, invited five schools from all around the Midlands to take part.

The schools were split into two groups, juniors 11 to 14 year olds and seniors 15 to 18 and each used a team of two.

Dave Beaten, from Abbey High, said: "The rockets were propelled by black powder fuel and the seniors managed to reach 370 metres."