YOUNGSTERS launched themselves into the school holidays yesterday by making rockets.

Children went to Wynyard Woodland Park for the Build a Rocket event.

They were asked to take along two two-litre plastic pop bottles, which they made into a rocket and decorated, before launching them.

The two-hour event was organised by Wynyard Planetarium and Observatory, with the help of Durham Astronomical Society.

Ed Restall, director of the planetarium, said: "All the youngsters had a great time building their own pop bottle rockets.

"We had about 25 people here in total, and, at the end, we had made 11 rockets ready for launching.

"We filled them with water and compressed air, and then let them go in a safe and controlled manner.

"The winning rocket looked as though it went even higher than last year - it reached about 231ft - but it was just a bit lower. They were all really impressive.

"It's a bit of fun, but we try to teach them a bit about how these things work and get them involved in the science."

Matthew Olsen, 11, made the winning rocket and received a Collin's Star Finder kit as his prize.