YOUNGSTERS were invited to track the progress of a major construction project and were inspired to lay their own career foundations.

Orlando Bridge is being rebuilt to prepare the area for the introduction of new electric trains resulting in Orlando Street being shut.

This week, excited youngsters from Clarendon Primary School were given a sneak peak of how the development is progressing after being invited to don their hard hats and high-visibility jackets and enter the site by contractors J Murphy and Sons Limited.

Karen Hartley, rail team organiser for J Murphy and Sons Limited, said: "The visit went really well, the children loved it.

"We wanted to show them what we are doing and why we are doing it, because it is a big project and causing disruption, so they can go home and tell their parents.

"We also taught them about railway safety and about electrification."

She added: "One of the other reasons we invite young people on to the site is to encourage them to go into the industry and look at careers in it including, engineering, design.

"They were told interesting facts such as a triangle is stronger than a square.

"Visiting sites like this has the wow factor."

Now the young engineers with designs on success are going back to school to build their own mini bridges using everyday materials.