Life is all snakes and ladders for these children, who designed digital board games for a Dragons’ Den style competition.

Seventy pupils from schools across Barnet will now go on to pitch their ideas to a panel for the chance to see their creations hit the shelves.

More than 700 children took part in a masterclass as part of the @mybarnet competition, run by Capita with Barnet Borough Council and Excite-ed, which teaches digital game development.

The final 70 took to Manorside Primary School, in Squires Lane, Finchley, to learn more about game design, budgeting and how to create a dynamic app.

Headteacher Sally King said: “The children have really taken @mybarnet to heart and put a great deal of effort in coming up with some fun ideas.

“Giving them a tangible goal has been a really good way of getting them to focus on the competition and think about how their app could help improve the lives of residents in Barnet.”

It tests their ability to come up with a game which is fun, educational and tells them something about Barnet while they play.

So far, children have come with games where players run around the borough collecting keys which give them facts about the area, one aims to promote cycling in Barnet, and another includes a team of ninjas collecting litter.

Julia Bateson, managing director of Excite-ed, said: “This masterclass has taught the children some invaluable skills, such as budgeting, games design, and how to create a dynamic and enticing app.

“In addition, a key aspect of the competition is to encourage youngsters to think about how their app will help their community, so the intended outcome of @mybarnet is an essential online tool which provides a genuine service to residents.”

The final winning entrant will eventually see their game created and hosted on Barnet Council’s website in the autumn, and will win tech prizes for their school.