Martha's Motor Of Future

Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), July 9, 2008

Byline: By SAM CASEY News Reporter

IT'S free to run, environmentally friendly and fitted with a host of modern features.

At a time of soaring petrol prices and tax hikes for high polluters it sounds like a car buyer's dream - but you'll never see it on the road.

That's because this particular motor is the work of an imaginative eight-year-old schoolgirl.

Martha Jepson, who goes to Cumberworth First School, came up with the idea for her colourful car for a competition to design a car of the future.

She won the contest, organised by Polar Ford, with a design for an electric-powered vehicle, made of recycled materials, that can increase and decrease in length according to the number of passengers.

It has high-tech entertainment and air conditioning systems - powered by solar panels - and an extra steering wheel to use when driving abroad.

Polar Ford manager Tony Christmas said: "It was really difficult trying to decide who the winner was, but we all loved Martha's entry."

The competition was held to raise money for Kirkwood Hospice.

Polar Ford donated money for every entry and the competition raised pounds 531.

Martha got pounds 25 of gift vouchers and a digital camera for her school for winning the years four to six category.

Jeanna Beastall from Rowley Lane School won the years one to three category.

Four runners-up were Oscar Jepson, also from Cumberworth, Sonny Stuffins, from Spring Grove J&I School, Areeba Mansoor, from Crosland Moor Junior School and Emily Radcliffe, from Rowley Lane.

Mr Christmas added: "The standard of entries was amazing. We never expected to receive as many as we did and we are thrilled that we have been able to raise over pounds 500."

Each pupil will receive a certificate and a framed copy of their entry.

Martha's design will go on display at Polar Ford on St Andrew's R oad.

CAPTION(S):

YOUNG DESIGNERS: Competition winners Jeanna Beastall (left) of Rowley Lane School and Martha Jepson of Cumberworth First School, pictured with John Leeman, regional director of Polar Ford Yorkshire and Elaine Gill, Kirkwood Hospice Support and Therapy Centre sister. Top: Martha's winning effort PW040708Hcar-02.jpg