Pupils put forward sea defence plan

The winning teams with the judging panel at the back of the photo - from left to right, Cllr Suzy Horton, cabinet member for education at Portsmouth City Council; Matthew Olive, headteacher at St Swithun's Catholic Primary School; Rupert Teasdale, coastal engineer from the Eastern Solent Coastal Partnership. Picture: David Bartholomew.

YOUNGSTERS from a school in Southsea have presented their ideas for sea defence solutions to Portsmouth City Council andÂ the Eastern Solent Coastal Partnership.

Children from St Swithun's Catholic Primary School emerged as the winners of aDragon's Den style competition where 90 pupils designed and presentedÂ plans.

The project aimed to engage local children in plans to protect Southsea from coastal flooding.

Head of Years 5 and 6 at St Swithun's, Matthew Dunn, said: '˜The children completed research about different coastal sea defences and came up with their recommendations to present.

'˜They had to consider elements such as visual impact, accessibility and geography before pitching their suggestions. The process has given the pupils a real insight into an important project right on their doorstep.