Norwich youngsters have made it through to the final of a national competition after proving to be IT whizz-kids in the eastern region.

Children from Valley Primary School, near Dereham Road, have scooped �1,200 for their school after taking the east of England title in the Make IT Happy Competition.

The theme for this year's annual competition was Pass IT On where schools were challenged to show how they have used technology to connect schoolchildren with others.

Youngsters from Valley Primary demonstrated how they had used video diaries and the internet to make contact and communicate with schoolchildren at a partner school in Australia.

It was the first time Valley Primary had entered the competition and now members of the group will head to Westminster for the national final for the chance to win a further �4,000.

Tony Murphy, the school's ICT co-ordinator, said: 'It's fantastic, to go up against the whole of the east of England and to be recognised in that way is incredible. The children were overjoyed.

'To give them something as simple as a digital camera and for them to create video diaries is fantastic and it's a great excuse to make friends who are more than 10,000 miles away.'

The competition was open to nine- to 11-year-olds and saw youngsters in years five and six at Valley Primary take part.

Their entry included video diaries and how they sent a gps device to their friends Down Under.

Five children from the group, Mr Murphy and their teaching assistant will attend the awards ceremony at the Houses of Parliament on June 28.

Ahead of the event, which will be attended by the finalists from the 12 regional areas, the youngsters will get a trip on the London Eye.

To find out more about the Make IT Happy, competition, go to http://makeithappy.cc4g.net/

Has your school won success at a regional or national competition? Call reporter Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk