PUPILS at two west Wiltshire schools have been gathering ideas for their future from local businesses, as both schools held day-long careers fairs where all the year groups were able to tour stands and ask questions about what exactly jobs involve.

Youngsters at St Laurence School in Bradford on Avon were the first to get tips and hints, with the second fair, at John of Gaunt School in Trowbridge, taking place on Wednesday.

"This is a natural extension of our Futures programme, and is all about getting employers in front of students," explained Eugene Spiers, assistant head at the Trowbridge school. "It broadens their horizons and makes them aware of the opportunities open to them."

The fairs mean around 2,500 youngsters have been able to get some ideas about jobs available locally and the qualifications they will need.

Among firms and training providers represented at the events were Dorothy House, Siemens Engineering, the Royal United Hospital in Bath, Wessex Water, Marks and Spencer, the Wiltshire Times, Formative Group, The Consortium, Bath ASU, Ball Aerocan and the Army, Navy and RAF.