Teenagers have the chance to show off their cyber skills in this year's Matrix Challenge.

The innovative cyber competition is open to everyone in the UK aged 11-17.

It has been designed by the country's regional organised crime units to encourage youngsters to develop their cyber skills with a view to following a career in cyber.

The first stage of the competition is an online game that will run until February 14.

Entrants will need to know about the Computer Misuse Act 1990, staying safe online, steganography, fault finding in lines of code, and cracking a cipher.

There will also be a timed multiple choice quiz to complete.

The top scorers in each region will be invited to a regional semi final to determine the top three entrants in each age category.

Top contestants from the 11-14 and the 15-17 category in each region will then go head-to-head in a grand final in July 2020 in front of industry partners for a chance to win top technology prizes and become the Matrix Challenge UK Champion.

The qualifier game can be played at matrix-challenge.uk