A TEAM including Reading students laid the mechanical smackdown on the first episode of Robot Wars on Sunday.

University of Reading Computer Science second year Alex Shakespeare and Cybernetics third year Rory Mangles competed as Team Nuts on the much loved BBC programme.

Joined by DIY worker Dave Lawrie and Alex's dad and chartered electronic engineer Chris Shakespeare, Team Nuts made a distinct impression with both their flailing, gyroscopic robot and choice of dress.

“We realised we didn't have the most competitive robot,” explained Alex.

“And we didn't want to be a boring team who people would forget the next day, so Dave suggested we wear furry waistcoats and top hats”

The fashion choice and Nuts' hypnotic style had the intended affect, with the Robot Wars crowd chanting the teams' name despite their eventual destruction at the spinning blade of Carbide.

Despite the comradery evident within Team Nuts Alex, who has lived in Reading for three years, lost his 150g class Amp Weight World Title to Rory last week.

In terms of the future, Team Nuts are hoping to return to Robot Wars next season.

Alex said: “It was an incredible experience and it would be great to come back next year.”

Log on to the Chronicle tomorrow for more exclusive Reading based Robot Wars coverage.