SOUTHAMPTON schools have been taking up the challenge to design a water-powered vehicle.

The entries had to be smooth-running enough to transport three chicken eggs without breaking them.

The winner was the one to go the furthest distance in a straight line.

Southampton Institute and the Institute of Mechancial Engineers asked schools to make vehicles for the Great Egg Race 2004 to encourage the students into an engineering career.

A spokesman for Southampton Institute said: "There have been some great vehicles flying down the car park. We have seen some budding designers of the future. The children really got involved. They loved it and all had a really good afternoon."

Tyneham Comprehensive School from Christchurch came first winning £500. Sholing Technology College, Southampton, came second and took £300 and Woodlands Community School was third.

Sir Michael Moore, director of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, said: "We have 80,000 members. They all started where these pupils are today, as young engineers, and they are now prominent engineers.

"What the pupils have done today is a great start and I hope they carry on to university. It has been really good fun."