MORE than 100 budding young engineers descended on Sellafield Birchwood offices for a day of fun and learning.

Sellafield Ltd, the company responsible for decommissioning the historic nuclear facility in Cumbria, was taking part in a national event run by the Institute of Engineering and Technology.

It was a rare chance for children interested in finding out more about engineering as a career to see behind the doors of the Birchwood offices, meet the design and project engineers, and take part in a series of activities.

The town is a renowned hub of nuclear expertise, much of it centred around the work being done at Sellafield.

Sellafield Ltd’s offices in Birchwood and Daresbury are home to more than 1,500 employees – and hundreds more in its supply chain.

Head of Sellafield Ltd’s Warrington offices, Alex Walsh said: “It’s inspiring to see such a diverse range of kids taking part so enthusiastically in the activities, and learning about the wide ranges of application of engineering in our society.”

Nigel Fine, IET chief executive, said: "The open house day offers a unique opportunity to visit some of the most exciting and innovative brands and learn how engineering sits at the heart of many things we know and use.”