YOUNG chemists from across the North-East have been delving deep to solve a mystery.
Students carried out scientific spade work after being set an unusual challenge at the University of Sunderland.
Eight sixth-form teams had to solve the mystery of who was killing a fictional retired colonel's prize-winning marrows.
It was part of a competition organised by the university's School of Health, Natural and Social Sciences.
The pupils had to analyse soil samples and solve the crime.
Judges from the university's chemistry department said standards were very high.
The winning team, from Framwellgate School, Durham, is in with a chance of reaching the national finals at Liverpool University in the summer.
University scientist Roger Reeve, who organised the competition, said everyone had enjoyed it.
He said: "The event was to show pupils that science is fun and it is relevant to our day-to-day lives."
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