Southern Water has launched a new initiative to inspire schoolchildren from across the South East to save water, energy and money.

Aqua Innovation, which supports our metering programme, involves teams from ten secondary schools across our region competing to design a product, service or campaign to help people use water more efficiently.

It follows the Water Design Challenge,  which ran successfully in 2010 and 2011.

Each team will work with a dedicated mentor from the University of Brighton who specialises in science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM). These STEM ambassadors will provide support and expertise as youngsters research, plan and develop their concepts.

Judges will shortlist the best five ideas and the finalists will pitch to a Dragons' Den-style panel. The winners will stay at the Lodge Hill Centre near Pulborough, West Sussex, where they will enjoy activities such as abseiling and learn about environmental and sustainability issues.

For more information, please call Jackie Mant on 07880 502105 or send her an email: jacki.mant@southernwater.co.uk