A COMPETITION to design a new 'Western Sector' for High Wycombe has been held by a school, to help the project come alive for pupils.

Jade Gumbs won the competition for Year 5 pupils, held last Tuesday at Hamilton School, based in Priory Avenue and Hampden Road.

It was organised in partnership with Wycombe District Council and MAB, developers of the Western Sector.

Jade won first prize, a book called High Wycombe - A Pictorial History, by Ivan G Sparkes, after producing the best project.

Three classes of 10 and 11-year-old children from the school took part in the project, initiated by the school's geography co-ordinator, Richard Reid.

The prizes were presented by Wycombe District Council chairman, David Cox.

He said: "As an ex-headmaster, I know that competitions such as this one, which involve real-life projects, help pupils understand how things work in the world outside of school."

He added: "This will help bring the Western Sector alive for them, rather than simply being a colourful plan in the local newspapers."

Before the outright winner was announced, the children who did the best projects were required to present their work to classmates and the judges from the school, council and MAB.

The afternoon closed with a short presentation by Wycombe District Council and MAB, followed by an opportunity for the children to ask questions.