Three Sutton students have earned national recognition in a new competition set up by Bill Gates.

The competition calls on 11-19-year-olds to use science and technology to help solve global health and development challenges.

Overton Grange School students Mojiz Mirza, Archie Milroy-Mason and Elizabeth Coles, all aged 16, came runners up in the British Science Association's Youth Grand Challenges.

The awards ceremony, hosted by TV presenter Rick Edwards, was held at The Crystal in London, December 7, to recognise the achievements of students across England.

Their project, Maximising the use of Ocimum K in mosquito repellent, uses a cheap way for people in developing countries to produce repellent to fight the spread of malaria.

The three students use repellent properties in an indigenous herb, Ocimum K, to make a body cream, a body spray and sachets for clothing.

Katherine Mathieson, chief executive of the British Science Association, said: “I’d like to extend my congratulations to Mojiz, Archie and Elizabeth for coming runners-up in the Gold category of the Youth Grand Challenges competition.

“Their project was very impressive and was clearly the result of hours of hard work. I wish Mojiz, Archie and Elizabeth every success in the future and I hope that this competition acts as a catalyst for them to take their solution to the next stage of development.”