Three students from Truro College have qualified for the first round of the British Mathematical Olympiad.

Hazel Brickhill from Helston, Owen Evans from Hayle and James Freeman from Helston, each achieved over 90 per cent in this year's United Kingdom Maths Trust (UKMT) Senior Maths Challenge in order to qualify.

In total 59 students from Truro College took part in the Senior Maths Challenge with seven students receiving Gold, 14 receiving Silver and 20 receiving Bronze.

Through the Maths Challenges and team competitions the UKMT aim to stimulate greater interest in mathematics across the 11-18 age group, encouraging participation and rewarding enthusiasm and achievement.

The Senior Maths Challenge is used as an entry for the qualifying rounds of the British Mathematical Olympiad (BMO), which in turn forms part of the selection process for the UK International Mathematics Olympiad team. The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is the World Championship Mathematics Competition for secondary school students and is held annually in a different country.

Owen Evans was also the Best in Centre with a score of 95 out of 125 in the Senior Maths Challenge. Owen, Hazel and James sat the paper for British Mathematical Olympiad at the end of November.

Owen said: "The Olympiad is probably the hardest exam I've ever done but it was quite fun to do something that difficult!"

Truro College Principal Jonathan Burnett presented the students with their certificates. He said: "Everyone at the college is very proud of the achievements by Owen, Hazel and James. It is another example of the outstanding abilities of Truro College students."