About 75 youngsters from Sywell Primary and Overstone Primary Schools, along with Moulton School, attended a day-long 'Make Your Mark' workshop at Sywell Aerodrome, giving pupils a flavour of the aircraft industry.

Aircraft and flying specialists 2Excel, Delta Aviation, Brooklands and Flylight gave pupils a talk on life and training for a pilot as well as the mechanics of flying a plane. Aerobatic display team The Blades were also present.

Organiser Iain Burridge said: "The pupils had an exciting time because there were plenty of opportunities for hands-on demonstrations, trying on equipment and sitting in planes, as well as talks and discussions about how each company works.

"Judging by the feedback, the pupils clearly had an excellent and exciting day, with the emphasis throughout the workshops that the sky's the limit if they wish to achieve goals in getting their chosen career."

Saints rugby players Sean Lamont and Leigh Dickson also attended the event workshop to give motivational talks on careers in sport.

Meanwhile, 100 sixth-formers from across the county attended workshops run by the University of Northampton's Enterprise club.

The 'Create Your Own Future' event on Friday, held at the university's Sunley Management Centre, focused on creativity and ideas in business as well as the importance of team work and partnerships.

Successful young entrepreneurs, such as a beat boxer, a skate-park owner and a games company, gave talks to inspire the sixth formers. The national themed week was designed to forge a link between education and industry.