Three students from Penwith College have won the regional heat for a national science competition, tasked to find the scientists of the future.

Truro and Penwith college is a national leader in the provision of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects, and three of their A level chemistry students have now proven their worth.

Joe Twiddy, Maisie Rainbow and Jess Thompson won the regional heat of the Royal Society of Chemistry Schools Analyst competition, held in Plymouth, and will now go on to compete in the national finals.

This was only the second time Penwith College entered its own team as opposed to a joint team with Truro College, and the students were delighted when they won the regional heat.

In the competition each student had to undertake practical analytical exercises based on problems relevant to industrial or social needs.

Lynne Franklin, chemistry lecturer at Penwith college, said: "I am really proud of the way they clearly worked as a team and applied in this environment - and to win, it's the icing on the cake."

After winning the heat the students will now go on to compete in the national final health at Sussex University in June.