HARTFORD High School students emerged victorious at the seventh annual Northwich Rotary Club Technology Tournament on Valentine's Day.

Eight teams of four from Hartford, Weaverham High, and The County High School Leftwich took part in the tournament in Weaverham.

Having been told to bring a set of tools, the teams were only told of their engineering task upon arrival on Friday, February 14 – to design and build a flashing beacon.

Armed with A4 card, wood, dowel, an LED light, wire, masking tape, drawing pins, wire, weights, an aluminium strip and screws, the challenge also involved producing diagrams of their process and was judged by engineering Rotarians.

All teams completed the task, with two teams neck-and-neck before Kate Armstrong, Jessica Wardell, Alice Webster and Katie Stenhouse from Hartford High emerged victorious.

They were presented with winners' medals and a plate trophy by Northwich Rotary Club president Jim Mole.

Rotary organiser Tony Rowe said: "This is the seventh year that we have organised this Tournament and the feedback from the schools is very positive.

"The day is very challenging for the students as they have to think on their feet, work together as a team and produce a working mechanism against the clock – but most of all, the day is about broadening their design and technology experience in an environment where the emphasis is on enjoying themselves and having fun."

The tournament is accredited by the British Science Association to the CREST Discovery Awards – a national award scheme for project work in science, technology, engineering and maths.

All participating students will receive CREST Discovery Certificates, sponsored by Northwich Rotary Club.