Fingerprint detection skills has won four pupils from The Hereson School in Broadstairs a forensics competition.

The crime-busters used scientific methods to identify the suspect of a mock crime. This included lifting fingerprints from various items, fixing the prints and then analysing them to identify what type they were and if they matched those of a suspect.

They won the forensics challenge at the annual Salters Festival of Chemistry at the University of Kent.

School science co-ordinator Joanne Gisby said: “Our lads correctly identified the prints and were commended on the clarity of the examples they took. The look on their faces when they won was priceless.

“Through challenges like this we are hoping to prove to our lads that they are just as capable of achieving as if they were attending a grammar school.”

The Year 7 team of George Bailie, Theo Edwards, Jack Dexter and Michael Chambers each received a certificate, a kit bag and an alarm clock.