EAST Durham College is holding a careers event for Year 9 pupilsto help them plan their futures.

The college in Willerby Grove, Peterlee, will hold the event on Tuesday February 1 between 9am and 6pm.

A wide range of employers, training providers, armed forces, other further education colleges, sixth forms and universities are due to attend.

Assistant Principal Fred Harrison said: "This is the first time we have held an event of this type specifically for Year 9 pupils.

"It’s very important to help young people as early as possible to start thinking about what they might do after school and what career they’d like to pursue.

"This sort of event is an ideal way to get them to start looking at the right education and training paths to take to ensure they fulfil their job ambitions or to just think about what they might like to do."

More than 1,000 Year 9 pupils, from the seven local schools and a large number of college students are expected to attend.

Pupils from any school year and their parents are also encouraged to come along between 4pm and 6pm.