THREE Oxfordshire students are among the pick of Britain's most brilliant young inventors. Ben Young, at 13, reckons he can ease the parking misery of millions of drivers. And it won him top prize at the regional final of the Young Engineers for Britain competition. We talk to Ben and two other inventors who have Tomorrow's World firmly in their sights. It was an extra special birthday for bright young inventor Ben Young. At the age of 13 he reckons he is well on the way to becoming a millionaire.

And after news that Ben has been named Thames Valley's young inventor of the year, not many would bet against him realising his ambition.

He is one of three Oxfordshire youngsters to have had their work showcased in the regional final of the Young Engineers for Britain competition.

Ben, of Mill Lane, Drayton, near Banbury, came up with an idea that could ease the misery of parking for millions. It struck the Bloxham School pupil, who was 13 last week, as he watched trams on holiday in San Francisco.

Now he says he's found the answer to a problem facing motorists all over Britain every morning - how to reverse down the drive on to a busy road.

Ben has invented a giant rotary turntable which had heads turning at the young inventors' regional finals in High Wycombe.

His invention consists of a steel baseplate with a motorised top, which simply turns the car around.

Ben said: "It's illegal to back out on to a main road and many elderly people do find it very difficult to turn their cars around in their driveway. There's just not enough space. "With my invention they just go on to the drive, press a button and their car is turned around and they are facing the road."

Ben, who made all the bearings and parts himself, said: "We've tried it with a lawnmower and bikes because it is only built to a quarter scale. My grandmother wants me to build one so her summerhouse can move round to face the sun.

"I got the idea when I saw trams being turned around at the bottom of the hill in San Francisco."

Proud mum Carol said: "He has been awarded a scholarship for this project at Bloxham School. He used to stay late at school working on this and would then go to his dad's workshop at weekends."

Ben's father Doug runs Banbury engineering business Riteweld. The schoolboy's invention earned him a £300 prize and a place in the national final.

He said: "I've previously assembled a petrol car, big glider and a roulette wheel, but I think this is the real winner, the one that will quite possibly make me a millionaire."

TWO CHAIRS, THREE CHAIRS

Another Bloxham pupil, Jun Baba, is also sitting on a brilliant idea.

Jun, 13, finished second to his friend Ben in the young inventors' competition with his "magic cardboard armchair", which can be turned into a designer's desk.

Jun is the son of the former Royal Shakespeare Company actor Togo Igawa, who has appeared in the Lovejoy television series.

Mum Adrienne said: "He is always drawing things at home. It started off with him having this idea of building a chair that he could keep his pencils in. Although it is made of cardboard it is surprisingly strong."

Jun, of Bradford Court, Bloxham, was runner-up in the 11s to 14s section but must now wait to learn if he has qualified for the national final held in London in September.

AHEAD OF THE PACK

Rugby player James Dolan knew exactly what he wanted to do for his A-level project.

He had in mind an adjustable weight machine to harden up the muscles of players in a scrum and tone up those recovering from injuries.

James, 18, of Queens Road, Thame - a pupil at Lord Williams's School - thought the project through so well he is now in line for two major awards.

And he is also patenting the machine because professional clubs are interested in buying it. "The idea took off and everyone seems interested in the project. I really am delighted," said James, who plays for his school and for Thame-based Chinnor Rugby Club. He won the A-level group prize in the Thames Valley young engineers contest and should know within a fortnight whether he will get to take his machine to the national finals. The project is also in the top ten nationwide listed for the Stuart Pugh prize for A-level projects.

James had advice from design and technology teacher James Giles and spent time with Powersport in Bridgend, Glamorgan, on the technicalities.

He said: "Everyone knows the massive roller type of equipment for building up muscles of the scrum men, but I always felt something subtler and adjustable could be a real winner.

"My design can be altered to simulate any scrum position and it can be used as a rehabilitation tool for players wanting to build up muscles after injuries."

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