A NEW Millennium Dome was unveiled in Harpenden last week when schoolchildren designed their own scale model of the London landmark.

Pupils from Grove JM School in Dark Lane set about copying the dome as part of a hands-on architecture workshop designed to tackle the burning building issues of the Millennium.

The project, led by Architecture Workshop as part of Design and Technology Week, challenged students to build large scale structures, while considering the angles, symmetry and geometrical shapes used to construct them.

As well as building their dome, pupils from the school also constructed a mathematical bridge, an arch made out of bricks and tried their hand at plumbing and wall papering.

Deputy headteacher Rachel Davis said: 'This is a big schools initiative that we took up for the first time this year. It aims to highlight the fun and the importance of design and technology skills throughout the school to all children.'