Shell has announced that it is to offer training and support to four Chester sixth-form students as it looks to further promote engineering in UK schools.

To date, more than 40 students have benefited from the company's scheme, which enables pupils to gain hands-on work experience at its sites and gain a fuller appreciation of the oil industry.

Now, the four teenagers from Upton High School have been invited to work alongside Shell engineer Brian Carey to develop an electrical circuit system designed to start up essential equipment without overloading a plant's electrical capabilities.

Commenting on the scheme, Mr Carey stated: "Not only is it an excellent opportunity for the company to run a project which will be of practical use in the workplace, but it will also help to develop the students' technical engineering knowledge.

"I hope I am able to transmit my enthusiasm and learning experiences to the students and encourage them to pursue a career in engineering," he told the Chester Standard.

This latest initiative forms part of the national Engineering Education Scheme, which has been credited with setting hundreds of youngsters up for a career within subject-related fields.