PUPILS from schools across the North-East are to be given an insight into the everyday uses of chemicals.

More than 700 young scientists from 16 comprehensives are attending a Chemistry at Work summer school, sponsored by the Royal Society of Chemistry and held at the University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, next month.

The budding boffins, aged 14 to 15, will rub shoulders with representatives of the region's leading chemical firms, which will demonstrate various applications of chemistry in the workplace.

Julie Mennell, assistant director of the university's science and technology school, said: "Chemistry at Work is a great event because it gives young people an insight into some of the area's scientists' work in, from crime and forensic investigation to chemical engineering.

"I'm sure they will all enjoy it and hopefully some of them will consider a career as a result of participating."