These bright sparks are on course to be among the country’s top chemists after excelling in a national competition.

Angus Bain, Rohan Dodd and Byung Jin Kim picked up gold certificates in the Cambridge University chemistry challenge.

The Hampton School pupils were among 4,000 across the country who took part in the event, which is designed to stretch and challenge students interested in chemistry.

The boys said they were delighted with their results.