STUDENTS at West Somerset Community College in Minehead have won a national competition for a short film they made about nuclear energy.

A team of six year ten students took part in the competition organised by the Nuclear Institute and sponsored by EDF Energy.

Schools in areas around the country where new nuclear power stations are proposed were invited to take part in the national competition.

The West Somerset Community College film, about young people's perceptions of nuclear power in the Minehead area, was among four finalists whose films were shown at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London.

They were voted on by delegates at the international conference and exhibition on nuclear new build run by the Nuclear Industry Association, Nuclear Institute and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

On Tuesday, Hinkley B power station director Nigel Cann, presented the prize, a cheque for £1,000, for the college to spend on video equipment. He also invited them to visit the power station.

He said: "Well done to the students at West Somerset Community College. It's great to see them engaging with what is a very important subject.

"Through the work that we are doing locally, it is clear that young people are starting to consider the impact of new nuclear power stations both on them and their communities.

"These are such big projects - it is very important that young people consider the benefits, the concerns and potential opportunities."

College principal Nick Swann was delighted that the students won this national award.

"This kind of project forms part of the work we do with the most able students at the college to really push and extend their skills and experiences.

"Their success shows not only their abilities in film-making but also their keen interest in what is a very important subject to local communities in Somerset – nuclear power and the issue of tackling climate change," said Mr Swann.

Year ten students Alex Christmas, Becky John, Joe Lee, Megan Peeks, Jasmine Pyman and Harry Symons formed the winning team.

Alex, 15, said: "The idea of the film was to show young people's views on nuclear power. We focused on two local middle schools, talked to pupils and then worked on editing it, adding some music, to create the final film."

The prize presentation was followed by a two-hour workshop involving EDF Energy and about 25 students from the college and Danesfield School, Williton.

In small groups, they looked at EDF Energy's plans to build a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point, considering how it could affect them and the local community, with a particular focus on the benefits for and concerns of young people.

The students also examined the wider effects of building a new generation of nuclear power stations in the UK on climate change and the environment.

Pictured from the left are, at the back, Jasmine Pyman, Megan Peeks, Harry Symons, Joe Lee, Becky John; in front, Nigel Cann, Alex Christmas and Nick Swann.