DESIGN students have been given an insight into the creation of a car, from the drawing board to the showroom.

The design manager with Jaguar, Joe Buck, spent a day with students from Darlington College of Technology in a workshop designed to give them an insight into the motor industry.

Mr Buck, from Middlesbrough, who has managed Jaguar's advanced design studio in Coventry for five years, said: "It is really important to let the students know exactly what it is like working in the industry; how we work with suppliers and how we get the best from our engineers."

His designers have been responsible for the latest Jaguar models, including the XJ, XK, S-Type and X-Type.

Mr Buck told the students that designs started life as simple ballpoint pen sketches on paper.

These are enhanced on computer, before becoming full-scale models, then prototypes.

He said: "Jaguar is more of a niche luxury brand than other executive marques.

"Owners tend to be more enthusiastic, artistic and eccentric, so we have a lot of customer clinics. You also have to remember the heritage of the product."

Eric Walsh, of Darlington College's Media Design Centre, said: "Having a lad from Middlesbrough in charge of the design at Jaguar cars is quite an achievement.

"He has gone right to the top of his profession, which is proof of how far you can go if you put your mind to it."