Luxury car maker, Bentley, is hoping to put apprenticeships in the fast lane after a visit to a Sandbach school.

Students at Sandbach High School and Sixth Form College enjoyed a visit from the world-famous Crewe-based brand yesterday (Thursday) as part of National Apprenticeship week.

Two top-of-the range Bentleys along with two of the school's own hand-made racing cars made by the school's car club, were on display

Now those wanting to apply for Bentley Motors' latest apprenticeship scheme have until Sunday (February 13th) to get their applications in.

Tom Russell, Early Careers Manager at Bentley and two of the car maker's apprentices joined two apprentices currently at the high school.

He said: "We are especially keen to show what careers are available for both male and female students and that there are a diverse range of roles to suit most interests."

Current apprenticeship vacancies range from an extensive list including manufacturing, software, design and IT to data science and metrology.

He said it is an especially exciting time to join the luxury car maker which has announced the production of its first battery-powered electric vehicle.

The development and build of the vehicle is part of a programme of £2.5 billion which Bentley Motors is investing in "sustainability" over the next ten years.

The first vehicle is scheduled to roll off the production line at the company's Pyms Lane plant in 2025.

Lewis Piggott from Crewe, a former pupil of Shavington Academy, is currently doing an engineering degree apprenticeship at Bentley.

He said: "I go to university one day a week and the rest of the week I am at work.

"It's a great way of learning and combining it with studying. I am thoroughly enjoying it."

Former Sandbach School pupils, Bradley French and Matthew Nash, are doing an apprenticeship at Sandbach High School and Sixth Form College following their 'A' Levels.

Matthew is doing a finance apprenticeship while Bradley is doing an apprenticeship in business administration.

Bradley said: "It's a great way of studying beyond 'A'Level and working. Every day is different and I'm learning something new all the time."

Sandbach High School and Sixth Form College has its own car club , CAUC (Complete and Utter Chaos) the f24 racing team made up of around 20 female students with a passion for engineering and motorsport.

Design Technology teacher at the school, Martin Ebsworth, who co-ordinates the club, started off his working life as an apprentice and is a firm fan of apprenticeships.

"They give students choice and inspires them to choose a different way of learning. "