Young women programmed robots and took on 3D design as they celebrated the achievements of women in engineering.

Girls from 50 primary schools took part in activities at the Tottenham University Technical College in High Road, Tottenham, as part of National Women In Engineering Day.

The girls in engineering workshop was designed to inspire women engineers of the future to address a skills shortage and the perception that the industry is typically dominated by men.

Pupils were able to participate in a series of engineering workshops, including robotics, in which they learned how to program a Lego Mindstorm robot to complete a number of challenges.

Supported by staff, the primary school girls also tried their hand at 'mechatronics' in the school’s industry-standard pneumatics lab and enjoyed creating a 3D design with the latest CAD software.

TUTC principal Deborah Ramm-Harpley said: ”By working with children at a much younger age we are able to help them discover the types of career pathways available in engineering and support them in taking the steps needed to achieve their career goals.”

Recent research has revealed that at less than 10 per cent, the UK has the lowest percentage of female engineers in Europe.

The curriculum at TUTC is backed through business partners including Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, Middlesex University, National Instruments, London Stansted Airport and others.

The colleges aims to career focus pupils education up to the age of 18 so that they are ready for, and enter straight into, their chosen career.