DETERMINED teenagers who won a major award at an international race at Silverstone received a heroes welcome as they returned home.

The team from Inverclyde Academy — called the Inver Racers — were in the driving seat at the world final of the Greenpower Challenge.

As part of the challenge the teenagers built and raced their own F24 race car to compete against teams from across the world.

The teens — Chris McClure, David MacKinnon, Christopher Arthur and Kyle Knox — finished 36th out of 50 teams from across the globe.

But they took home the media award for promoting their efforts online and their success in gaining sponsorship.

This week, their success was celebrated at a special celebration event at the school with invited guests.

At the event, the inspirational teens gave a presentation about their journey before demonstrating their race car.

Sabrina McCready, depute head teacher, said: "We are unbelievably proud of these boys, not just for the achievement of getting to Silverstone but for the personal skills they have developed along the way and the way they have worked in partnership with other organisations.

"They have created a new way of working for us as a school."

Proud pupil David, 16, said it has been a 'life changing' experience for them all.

He said: "We went to the home of Formula One and you can't really go wrong with that."

Colin McLaughlin, a lecturer from the motor vehicle department at West College Scotland says the lads are a credit to themselves.

He said: "I'm really proud of them.

"The whole idea is to get them ready to leave school and ready for work."

Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan MSP says the pupils are on the right road for a successful future.

He said: "I think the four lads have done an outstanding job.

"It's a great partnership project between the school, the college and Developing the Young Workforce.

"It shows that with determination, success can come from that.

"The four lads worked tremendously hard and they should be really proud of their achievement."

Inverclyde Academy head teacher Denise Crawford added: "We are so grateful for the support shown from businesses, the Greenock Telegraph, the partners and everyone who helped with the fundraising.

"This is a good advert for what the community can do to come together to support our children - that's the big message to come from this."

The team would like to thank everyone who has supported them throughout the project especially with the fundraising.