A YOUNG team of engineers has won recognition for their success on a work placement.

The lower sixth students from Ripon Grammar School - David Stone, Zach Mudge, team leader James Walker and Zak O'Brien - took part in the Engineering Education Scheme, working at Quasar Automation in Mickley, on a project to design an auto cake icer and decorator.

They passed the scheme, run by the Engineering Development Trust, and also received a gold crest award for their performance.

Mike Barker, head of engineering at Ripon Grammar School, said: "It's a fantastic achievement for the students and great for the school to be involved in this scheme, which gives young people a realistic opportunity to work as employees on a real project."

Bob Hinchcliffe, managing director of Quasar Automation, said the boys' concept would form the basis of a new product: "I'm a great believer in bringing on anybody who is interested in engineering, and it was great to have these four fresh minds to work with. There is potentially such a shortage of skilled people that we have to do what we can to encourage young people to come into the industry."