A NORTH Cotswolds school has boosted its chances of launching itself into the finals of a national rocketry competition.

Pupils at Shipston High School's rocket club launched their rocket under the watchful eye of an official adjudicator from the UK Rocketry Association at the school last Friday.

Despite the strong winds, the five-strong team achieved a respectable 515ft with their own-designed and made rocket, achieving a top 20 place, which should guarantee them a place in the national final being held at Charterhouse School later this month.

Science and Technology teacher David Beeton, who runs the school rocket club said that under the rules, the rocket payload of two eggs had to come back to earth unscathed.

"The eggs were intact. They ended up in the back garden of a neighbouring bungalow and we had to go round and ask for our eggs back," said Mr Beeton.

He said that Friday's launch achieved a lower altitude than they had hoped but added: "Considering the wind it was pretty good."

Mr Beeton was planning to carry out a second launch on Wednesday in a bid to get the team further up the rankings and guarantee a place in the final.

The top 20 teams will compete to represent the UK against United States schools later in the year.

"I would like to do a bit better but at the moment we are okay," he said.