A total of 160 students in teams of four took part in the event, held at the University of Newcastle and organised by the Engineering Education Scheme.

The EES is administered by the Engineering Development Trust and is part of the Royal Academy of Engineering's Best Programme.

The open day was the culmination of a six-month link-up between the students and employers, aimed at encouraging more young people to consider careers in engineering. Each team worked with a mentor from a participating company on a real-life industrial project.

The civil engineering and construction field was well represented, with projects as diverse as how to strengthen the handrails on the listed footbridge at Cragside using only traditional materials and projects involving sewage treatment works, flood defences and road embankment stabilisation.

During the first part of the event the teams showed their work to assessors, while in the afternoon parents and employers were able to view the students' displays.

The Nissan Rose Bowl was awarded to pupils from Burnside Business and Enterprise College who worked under the guidance of Scott Wilson on a scheme to strengthen an historic bridge at Cragside.

The rose bowl is awarded each year to the team adjudged to have given the best overall presentation to the assessors and reflects presentational skills as well as technical ability.

The Institution of Civil Engineers North East Region has been supportive of the Engineering Education Scheme over the past few years, and in return some of the students have agreed to present their projects to the president of the ICE when he comes to the region later this month.

Mike Gardiner, regional education co-ordinator for ICE North East, said: "I was very impressed with the standard of work produced by the teams, and I hope many of them go on to become rising stars in the world of engineering."

"It is a testament to the enthusiasm and commitment of the students that some of them have volunteered to return to school for a few hours during their holidays to show the president what they have achieved."

Bryan Lawrence, regional director for EES, added: "There is clear evidence that the experience has a positive influence on career choices and we are delighted by the growing support from civil engineering companies in this region."