High school team pockets consolation prize for eco project

A team from QE2 High School is leaving an international competition in the middle east $50,000 better-off - despite not winning first prize!

The group reached the finals of the Zayed Future Energy Awards with a project to operate a wind turbine using the school's bio mass boiler.

A delegation led by head teacher Sue Moore was pipped at the post in the European category, when the winners were announced at a ceremony in the United Arab Emirates last night.

But they leave with a substantial consolation prize.

The widow of contest founder Sheikh Zayed was so impressed with the runners-up, she's made a personal financial award.

The $50,000 windfall will be used to develop an eco scheme to generate the school's own power.