YOUNGSTERS in Richmond showed they were the engineers of the future when they made model lorries based on one of the latest concepts in transport engineering.

A visit to the town's CE primary school by design engineer Mr Carl Henderson, who developed an environmentally-friendly wagon and trailer, sparked a full-scale classroom project.

Pupils looked at a swivel axle devised by Mr Henderson, of Skeeby, which means vehicles take up less road width when turning and negotiating roundabouts, suffer less tyre scrub and wear, use less fuel and cause less damage to road surfaces and kerbs.

The children then made their own models to illustrate the thinking behind the development.

Last week, they braved chilly weather to present their work at Richmond's Nun's Close car park. With the help of head teacher Mr Martin Ash, and watched by Mr Henderson, they looked at the best place to put weight on the trailer, the optimum position for axles and which design performed best at a roundabout.

They were also treated to a ride in a full-size version of the lorry, which has been road tested by haulier Christien Salvessen for the last six months. Mr Henderson brought the 16m trailer to the town to help raise awareness of his hopes for road transport.

While in Richmond market place, the vehicle was filmed for a promotional video on innovation in Richmondshire.

"It is all about getting people to appreciate what lorries do," said Mr Henderson. "They understand the environmental benefits of a bus compared to a car, but they don't always understand why wagons are more environmentally and economically sound than vans or freight trains.

"This lorry provides the most efficient transport system with minimum emissions, its trailer size is the optimum for wagons and it takes up less road width and doesn't stray into other lanes at tight turns and roundabouts."

Mr Ash said the project had fit well into the science and technology aspects of the national curriculum and children had found it great fun.