The world of motorsport has pulled into an east coast college to encourage students into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

East Norfolk Sixth Form College in Gorleston has secured funding to purchase a GreenPower Formula 24+ kit car which will be used to engage students in STEM pathways and future careers and can be repeatedly broken down to be built again.

The funding will also enable a series of special workshops and activities for students from local secondary schools to enable them to engage in the designing, building and testing of the kit car.

READ MORE: College celebrates A-level success

College deputy principal, Dr Simon Fox, said: “We know that the engineering sector is experiencing significant growth locally, especially for young people who can provide skill sets in design for function as well as in the build element.

"For our college students and for local secondary students, this is an opportunity to collaborate on a fun project, but also this would fill a gap in provision and also target a whole cohort of young people at the right stage in their development and pathway choice.

READ MORE: Energy industry recruitment drive

"The kit car equipment is made to be used over and over again.

"Once designed, built and raced, the team breaks the car back down into its components ready for a new group to take the challenge on the following year which means this project can be run over many years.

"As the project develops, the aim is to support other schools in investing in their own kits as they become more involved, acting as a hub of expertise and knowledge for the local area.”

Funding was secured from the JP Blanch Fund, created in 2010 in memory of a local vintage car enthusiast James Blanch and which involves the Norfolk Community Foundation.