BRIGHT sparks turned their backs on fuel-guzzling vehicles... and designed their own electric car.

The seven-man team comprised of former teachers from Harwich and Dovercourt High School, and former students who call themselves Pteron.

They were briefed to build an electric vehicle which consumes as little energy as possible for the International Shell Eco-Marathon which is held in Rotterdam and were named best British team.

Paul Steele said: “It is a fantastic event because there is a good spirit and camaraderie with GSCE students mixing with professors with no intellectual snobbery."