An electric car built by students at Looe Community Academy proved its racing credentials during a national competition at Newquay Airport.

The vehicle, named Looe Bird, was built as part of an afterschool project by students Kai Manning, Haidyn Oakley, Luke Ellis, Oliver Owen and Tamsin Cairns with their teacher Mr Langdon.

The aim of the contest was to travel as far as possible in 90 minutes using just one charge of the batteries, said a Looe Academy spokesperson.

‘On race day the team of students prepared, raced and serviced their car in the pits and between races under the supervision of Mr Langdon,’ the spokesperson said.

‘Their attitude, engineering knowledge, ability to manage situations, dedication and enthusiasm were a real credit to the academy, as was their achievement of 10th place out of 33 entries in the first race of the day.

‘Other students from the academy, Willow Stow, James Stevenson and Jess Hughes, entered a car that they built with the Liskeard Police Cadets, finishing in 10th place in the second race of the day.’