Their technical prowess and steady nerves have brought them to the top of Britain’s junior robotics scene.

And now three teenagers from Sheringham are set to take on the world’s best at a competition in Dallas, Texas, in April. 

It follows Leo Malakar, 13, Noah Heath, 13, and William Cokayne, 14 winning a regional contest in VEX Robotics, and then placing third in a national tournament in Telford earlier this month.

Leo said: "I am really proud and surprised that we made the worlds this year, especially as two of our team had never even seen VEX until six months ago.”

William added: "I was a bit nervous ahead of the nationals and we had to overcome some challenges along the way but all in all I really enjoyed the experience.”   

VEX is the largest middle and high school robotics programme in the world - last year the world championships involved more than 30,000 students from more than 40 countries.

But to make it there Leo, Noah and William - whose team name is The Players - are hoping to attract sponsorship from individuals or businesses - email theplayersvexiq@gmail.com if interested - and have launched a GoFundMe campaign at www.gofundme.com/f/send-teenage-robotics-team-to-world-championship

North Norfolk News: From left, Leo Malakar, William Cokayne and Noah Heath after winning a regional VEX robotics contestFrom left, Leo Malakar, William Cokayne and Noah Heath after winning a regional VEX robotics contest (Image: Supplied)

Contests involve teams building robots using simple, snap-together VEX IQ parts to solve an engineering puzzle. They also get to show off their skills in individual driver-controlled and programming challenges.

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Competitors also work co-operatively with other teams.

Noah said: "Going to worlds was always a dream of ours that seemed out of reach.  

North Norfolk News: A scene from the national VEX robotics championships in Telford. The Players team from Sheringham are in red.A scene from the national VEX robotics championships in Telford. The Players team from Sheringham are in red. (Image: Supplied)

“During the national finals we were placed with a great team called MTS_Window Cleaners - we worked so well together that we placed third.

“Overall the journey so far has been outstanding."

Leo added: “It will be a challenge learning how to communicate game strategy with teams who don't speak English."