A talented student from St Albans Grammar School is one step closer to science victory after winning a place in the finals of the UK's National Science and Engineering Competition.

Sixth former Ellen Piercy competed in the heats of the competition with a project investigating ways to reduce the levels of acrylamide found in cooked what products, which are believed to cause neurotoxic and carcinogenic effects when consumed.

She will now go head-to-head with students from across the country in an attempt to claim one of the UK's most sought-after science and engineering honours for young people.

Ellen will now represent the South East as a region of rising young talent at the finals of the National Science and Engineering Competition held at The Big Bang UK Young Scientists and Engineers Fair at the NEC, Birmingham in March 2015 - the UK's largest celebration of science and engineering for young people.

There, Ellen's shortlisted entry will be showcased to over 75,000 visitors and she will come face-to-face with top celebrity judges in a Dragons' Den style pitch process.

Ellen said: "I'm thrilled my project has made it into the finals of this year's National Science and Engineering Competition and I can't wait to get to The Big Bang Fair in Birmingham this March.

"It's been an interesting challenge thinking about science in a new light and coming up with something that can help enhance people’s every day lives."