A Bexleyheath design whizz has created a toy to prevent captive elephants getting bored.

Industrial design student Marie Yates, of Woolwich Road, made the super-strong feeding toy to give the animals a challenge as many of those in captivity miss the excitement of finding food in the wild.

The 23-year-old used to attend Townley Grammar School in Bexleyheath but is about to graduate from Brunel University.

Her popular design was selected for a prestigious exhibition on London’s Southbank earlier this month as part of an exhibition in Oxo Tower Wharf.

She said: "In the wild elephants spend much of their waking hours foraging for food. But in captivity, as they are fed by their keepers, they spend a fraction of the time.

"Bored elephants can end up with all kinds of behavioural problems. And it’s a serious issue as it can affect their physical health.

"I designed a feeding toy which makes them work and think for the food inside which also had to be immensely tough. Elephants are not just very clever but very, very strong."

Visit madeinbrunel.com