A HUNDRED of the country's brightest teenage mathematicians were given a taste of university life at Manchester.

The brainy youngsters used beach balls and rubber rings to investigate surfaces - in a two-day course for pupils who find A-level maths too easy.

They were handpicked by schools and education authorities, and came from as far away as London and Cornwall.

Prof Bill Lionheart said: "For some doing A-level maths isn't a challenge. We want to show them the subject is both challenging and interesting."

The students also visited the Museum of Science and Industry and Jodrell Bank Observatory during their stay.