Bright ideas from a student at Sir John Lawes School in Harpenden have taken her to the finals of the UK’s National Science + Engineering Competition.

Jasmine Duffell excelled in the heats of the competition with a project that saw her investigate whether LED lighting is as effective as SON-T lighting for growing plants and if this could help save energy.

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 honours for young people.

Jasmine will now represent Hertfordshire at the finals of the competition held at The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Fair at The NEC, Birmingham later this month.

Jasmine’s shortlisted entry will be showcased to more than 75,000 visitors and she will come face-to-face with top celebrity judges in a Dragons’ Den style pitch process.

The teenager said: “I’m thrilled that my project has made it into the finals of this year's National Science and Engineering Competition.

By completing a scientific project, this helped me to experience research in a work place environment, and enabled me to meet many inspiring people who are passionate about their field of research. This has been an amazing experience and I can’t wait for The Big Bang Fair in Birmingham this March.”