THE iconic image of a Land Rover Defender ploughing through muddy fields has raised the passions of British petrolheads for decades.

Now it is hoped youngsters at a Didcot school will be inspired to follow an education – and possibly a career – in engineering thanks to a new link-up.

St Birinus School has joined with Jaguar Land Rover, which produces vehicles including the Land Rover Discovery and Jaguar F Type.

The multinational car company will send staff in once a month to work with year nine pupils at the school who are studying engineering, and teach them more about the industry.

Art, design and technology teacher Simon Brown said it was a fantastic opportunity for his students.

He said: "The staff from Jaguar Land Rover are going to be delivering sessions that compliment our curriculum.

"With our year nines they will be giving them an overview about what they might need to think about in industry – for example, how you get a project to completion.

"It makes it tangible and something the boys can relate to and look to in the future."

Pupils who study engineering do a wide range of activities such as creating remote control cars and learning how to draw blueprints.

Mr Brown said: "Hopefully this will provide them with the inspiration to carry on with the course and possibly a career.

"It will build on their enthusiasm.

"For our year nines this is a fresh new subject they have picked this year.

"We are hoping we will also be able to get a visit to the Williams Formula One factory in Grove and link up with Ridgeway Cars."

The school also hopes to enter a national competition which sees youngsters build and race remote control 4x4 vehicles.

Headteacher John Marston said: "Our status as a technology college is already 20 years old.

"Engineering is important for us as a subject.

"This seems like a really exciting opportunity and we very grateful for Jaguar Land Rover's input."

The company, which is owned by Indian company Tata Motors, has its headquarters near Coventry.

A spokesman for Jaguar Land Rover said: "Over a series of monthly workshops led by qualified engineers and project managers students will learn more about the vocational world of engineering, from time and project management through to technical drawing and innovation in design.

"All topics covered will compliment the curriculum, which will enhance and enrich their learning experience, enthusing them to continue studying engineering."

The company said it also hoped to provide opportunities for youngsters to visit engineering companies and manufacturing facilities.