A former Highgate School pupil with an eye for engineering is hoping to scoop a prestigious national prize after transforming a rusty old moped as part of an A-level project earlier this year.

Charlie Bruce, 18, found the neglected vehicle in storage at the school in North Road, Highgate, after it had been abandoned by a teacher some time ago.

Deciding to use the moped for his A-level design technology coursework, Charlie stripped the vehicle of its petrol engine and replaced it with an electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery.

The restored moped has been entered for a prize at the National Science and Engineering Competition 2013, making it through to the regional heats to compete in next March’s finals.

The project also won an A* from A-level examiners.

Reflecting on the prospect of picking up the award, Charlie said: “I’ve taken lots of things apart in the past and put them back together again.

“If I win it will be recognition of my abilities and a very nice way to end the project.”

Having achieved three A*s and two As in his A-levels earlier this year, Charlie was handed a place to study engineering at Cambridge University next September.

In the meantime, the teenager is back where it all began, working as a technician in Highgate School’s engineering department for the duration of his gap year.