A DESIGN student from China has enrolled at a North-East university so he can follow in the footsteps of the man who designed an iconic James Bond car.

Liu Liyong, 23, who is also known as Tony Stig, decided to study at Teesside University after hearing about successful graduate Marek Reichman, who designed a car for a James Bond movie through his work as director of design for car manufacturer Aston Martin. He was also awarded an honorary degree from Teesside University in 2010.

Mr Liyong first heard about his work through Paul Denison, principal lecturer for international recruitment in the University's School of Arts & Media, who was visiting Suzhou Institute of Art and Design, where Mr Liyong was studying, as a guest teacher in 2011.

Impressed with what he had heard, Mr Liyong, who is originally from Jiangsu province in China, decided to travel to Middlesbrough to complete the final year of his degree at Teesside University.

He said: "I wanted to come to Teesside University because of its good reputation for the product design course. I really enjoyed the course as it strengthened my knowledge of design."

Having successfully completed the BA (Hons) Product Design, Mr Liyong has secured a new role with the Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co Ltd.

He said: "I'll be working as an assistant to the design director, who is a foreign expert in the research and development centre of Beijing Automotive Group.

"My job will involve sketching, modelling as well as design management. I'll also be supporting the junior designers."

Mr Denison said: "Tony chose to study for his third year with us after looking at the design courses at Teesside and hearing about Marek Reichman. Continuing the international relationship, we also currently have one of Suzhou's professors here on a six-month observation of our teaching methods."