CHILDREN and young adults have days left to dream up an innovative technology idea for a space agency competition.

The UK Space Agency, based at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, has appealed for last-minute entrants to its SatelLife Challenge.

The contest seeks ideas from people aged 11-22 about how data collected from space satellites can benefit the economy, health or environment.

Top winners are given £7,500 and entry shuts at midnight on Sunday.

Two teenagers from The Cooper School in Bicester, Jacob Lelliott and Paul Grimwade, scooped last year's prize of £5,000 for their age group.

Their idea was an app collating useful community information for a particular area, using satellites to determine the user's location.

Other entries last year included an app warning people about impending natural disasters, and how to get to safety.

Emily Gravestock, head of applications strategy at the UK Space Agency, said: "We have already had some really exciting entries to the SatelLife Challenge.

"Now is the ideal time for anyone interested in taking part to get their ideas in before the deadline.

"Young people today will be an integral part of our mission to grow the UK's share of the global space market.

"This is a great way of learning how satellites shape our society.

"We hope it will encourage young British entrepreneurs to develop ideas that rival the best in the world."

The competition is split into three age groups with prizes of £5,000-£7,500.