A MAJOR Darlington employer has helped inspire the next generation of engineers.

More than 2,500 pupils from across the North-East visited the two-day Bring it On exhibition at Sunderland's Stadium of Light.

Cleveland Bridge, based off Yarm Road, were among a number of businesses to provide interactive and entertaining exhibits, aimed at encouraging young people to consider a career in engineering.

The zones included subsea, chemical, automotive, digital, civil engineering and engineer your career.

Newton Aycliffe-based Hitachi were also involved in the exhibition.

Tom Kellerman, a year nine pupil from Nunthorpe Academy, said: “Bring It On has introduced me to so many areas of engineering that I never knew existed, and I am now considering a career in some of them."

Jenny Lines, teacher at Dame Allan's Schools, said: "Both staff and students had a great day at the event.

“The exhibition was well supported by lots of local companies, as well as the main institutions, giving us all an excellent introduction to the breadth of engineering careers.

“The students loved having a go at the many hands-on activities on offer, coming away with a really positive attitude towards engineering and lots of new ideas to explore.”

Earlier this month, Cleveland Bridge UK recorded an annual profits increase of £4m – a growth of £1.5m on its previous 12 months.

The Darlington-based operator has now registered two successive years of profit following a senior reshuffle aimed at halting a series of losses under a previous regime.