STUDENTS from all over the UK descended on Oxfordshire on Thursday to put their brains to the test.

The final of the National Inter-School Year Five Science Competition was held at Culham Science Centre near Abingdon.

Some of the brightest nine- and 10- year-olds from 12 schools did battle to see who knew most about science.

Amanda Blair, from organisers Quiz Club, said: “It’s a bit like the FA Cup of primary school science.

“We started off with over 20,000 children and we were down to the last 48 from the remaining 12 schools. It was a frantic hour of quickfire questions to see who came out on top.”

Nick Holloway, from the Culham Science Centre, said: “It was really good.

“There were lots of competitive children and parents. They had a really great time.”

Thomas’ School, from Clapham, in London, was crowned the winner.

After the competition, the school children were given a tour of the Centre for Fusion Energy, where the UK’s fusion research is focused on copying the process which powers the Sun, to create a source of clean energy.