With many big car manufacturers now being urged to design greener, cleaner cars, a group of Arygll youngsters have proved it can be done - with a  bit of help from the sun.

Around 35 schools in the area took part in the Argyll Solar Car Challenge, a project designed to given children hands-on experience of renewable energy.

Organised by ALIenergy, the Argyll, Lomond & the Islands Energy Agency, each school was provided with two model cars in easy to assemble kits.

The youngsters were challenged to build one for speed - and to exercise their creative talents in designing bodywork for the other that would look good, but have minimal environmental impact.

The youngsters' work - together with projects run in three other schools in the Highlands and Islands - all feature in the current issue of a region-wide magazine Let's Talk Renewables.

Published by Highlands & Islands Enterprise the magazine gives tips on saving energy, explores some pioneering projects in the region and discovers what local people are doing to help reduce carbon emissions.

It is part of a year-long campaign being run by the development agency to deepen understanding of renewable energy.

Elaine Hanton, Head of Renewables at HIE says: "It's been inspiring to hear stories of what people of all ages are doing in the Highlands and Islands to save energy, cut waste and discover greener, cleaner sources of energy.

"What the children at Argyll are doing is a terrific example of the small differences all of us can make to help cut carbon emissions."

Achahoish Primary was just one of the schools to take on the Solar Car Challenge.

 "It's important to look after the planet - and it's great when you can have fun as well," said 11 year old Ruairidh Donald.

As part of the team responsible for Achahoish's speed machine, Ruairidh soon discovered that engineering and problem solving skills were needed to get the best out of their sun-powered car.

"A solar panel drove the electric motor and there were three gears we could use," he explained.

"We experimented and found that the first gear was best when it was dull and damp, second gave the best all round performance, and third was the one to use on really good days with lots of sunshine."

Head teacher Cindy Macdonald is enthusiastic about the impact the solar car challenge had on the school.

"Every child, from Primary One right through to Primary Seven, got involved," she said.

"The children learned a lot and got some good practical experience of using renewable energy. And all of them felt they played a part in designing the cars we entered in the contest."

Madeline Crawford, ALIenergy's energy education officer, said: "Argyll school children excelled themselves in this pilot project.

"Their understanding of the significance and relevance of renewable energy to climate change and global warming was inspiring."