Hundreds of students descended on The Maltings, in Ely, on Thursday for the first annual East Cambridgeshire Careers and Skills Fair.

The event saw almost 1,000 Year 11 and sixth form students, from the four secondary schools in the district, talk to 50 of the top employers in East Cambridgeshire through speed networking, question sessions and exhibitions.

The fair gave young people an insight into the skills and qualifications they will need if they want to get jobs in certain sectors, as well as signpost the careers available on their doorstep.

The fair was jointly organised by Ely College, East Cambridgeshire District Council and the Cambridge Area 14-19 Partnership.

Businesses attended included the Ely Standard, G’s Marketing, Shearline Precision Engineering, Napp Pharmaceuticals, Michell Instruments, Kier Construction, Oil & Gas Systems Ltd, Barclays Bank, LGC Group, Sainsbury’s and Whiting & Partners.