Entries to the DVLA Code Challenge are flooding in from primary school pupils across Wales.

Ahead of the competition’s closing date on October 6, DVLA is reminding pupils in Carmarthenshire that they are still in with a chance of winning cutting-edge IT equipment for their schools.

The winning entry to the competition will win up to £3,000 worth of IT equipment for use in their school or community code club. But schools and community code clubs don’t even have to submit an entry to the competition to be in with the chance of winning some great IT kit - all they need to do is register for the live link on the competition’s website to be automatically included in an additional prize draw.

Registering for the live web link also means that pupils will be able to vote for the winning entry and take part in the award day direct from their classroom, through a live video feed. They’ll get the opportunity to see all of the entries to the competition and play a full part in the day’s action– just as though they were there.

The full competition is open to teams of up to 5 pupils aged between 7 and 11 years from schools and community-based code clubs in Wales. DVLA is challenging the pupils to submit their design for a computer game from scratch, based around one of 4 different themes set by the sponsors. It will enable pupils to develop their computer programming, team work and communication skills in a fun and innovative way.

The award day on 28 November is being hosted by BBC News and X-Ray presenter Lucy Owen, who will announce the overall winner from the entries submitted.

In addition to the grand prize of IT kit to the value of £3000 for the winning entry, the second-placed entry will win equipment up to the value of £2000, with the third-placed entry winning equipment up to the value of £1000. The two runner-up entries will each win IT equipment to the value of £750.

A spokesman for BT, who are one of the competition’s sponsors, said: “BT are delighted to support this competition. Our Tech literacy programme seeks to excite children about technology and this competition is a perfect example of how this can be achieved”.

Richard Foster, Director at DMSG, added: “As a company based in Cardiff, we understand that Wales is a fantastic pool for IT talent and DMSG are really excited to sponsor the DVLA Code Challenge this year. Initiatives such as this will help make computer coding more accessible from an early age to a future generation of IT professionals, who will help to shape the economy of the future”.

The last date to enter the competition is October 6 at dvlacodechallenge.dvla.gov.uk, where there’s also further information about the competition and event, including how to enter, terms and conditions and full prize information.

The website can also be used to register for the live link – the closing date for this is November 24.