TV personality Johnny Ball joined young inventors from across North Yorkshire to judge their innovative designs at a competition in York.

Eighteen youngsters took part in the 12th YORTEK science and technology awards held yesterday at the Merchant Adventurer's Hall.

All the entrants, aged between 14 to 18, reached the final from local heats, and they all had to work closely with local businesses to produce their designs and products.

Richard Thackway, 18, of All Saints' School, York, reached the final with his trolley/lifting platform designed, among others, to help warehouse workers carry heavy goods.

He came up with the idea while studying for his technology A-level when he had to come up with a problem and a solution.

"I thought that far too many people were hurting their backs so I decided on this idea. It's taken me a whole year, but I've found it really challenging," he said.

"What makes it different from other trolleys is that it's cheap because it's extremely simple. Usually they cost around £800, mine would cost £200."

Meanwhile, Jonathan Stead, 16, of Selby High School, came up with his invention - a burglar alarm for the front door - after he noticed there had been too many break-ins near his home.

He said: "I wanted to design an alarm that triggered as soon as the front door opened and it would be silent so not to alert the burglar. It can also act as a door-chime during the day."

Jonathan is hoping to become a full-time inventor once he has finished studying for a BTEC National in engineering at Selby College.Each of the 18 entries had to discuss their inventions in a 10-minute talk to a judge of panels, chaired by Johnny Ball.

Johnny, who popularised science and mathematics through his television work, also gave a lively talk with lots of audience participation much to the delight of the young inventors.

He later told the Evening Press: "I've been really impressed by all the entries - they're absolutely superb.

"I regularly go to national competitions, but I have never attended one that has had such a high standard as York."

Nick Gamble, 16, a pupil of Ryedale School, Nawton, won the Yortek Award 1998 for his vehicle counter and display for the National Park Moors Bus initiative. His school wins an Epson colour digital camera and he wins a £50 gift voucher.

The second winner was Simon Coulson, of Lady Lumley's School, Pickering. The 17-year-old designed an electrical system to fire professional firework displays and won a £40 gift voucher.

The three merit awards went to Lissa Golding, 17, of Rossett School, Harrogate, who invented an automated wire-cutting machine; Stuart Palmer, 18, of King James's School, Knaresborough, for his folding music stand and Robert Johnson, 14, of Sherburn High School, Sherburn-in-Elmet, for his logic gate investigator.

All finalists received a certificate and a pen.

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