More than 1,000 Year 11 students from Hyndburn schools attended the Amazing Accrington Futures event at the Wham Stadium.

The event, sponsored by North Lancs Training Group (NLTG), Studio Frasers Group Financial Services, Accrington & Rossendale College and Accrington Stanley Football Club, welcomed exhibitors from local businesses, higher education establishments, training providers, Armed Forces, emergency services, tech sectors and many more.

Employers such as the police and the army joined local companies like Sundown Solutions, Whatmore UK, William Blythe and BAE Systems in showcasing their many and varied career paths.

Hosted by Amazing Accrington on Thursday, October 5, the event saw Year 11 students attending from St Christopher's C of E High School, Mount Carmel RC High School, Oswaldtwistle School, Hyndburn Academy, Rhyddings School and The Hollins Technology College.

Being held at Accrington Stanley's 1968 Lounge hospitality venue for the first time, students got to learn about the vast range of opportunities and careers available to them across the borough once they leave school, as well as getting the chance to play games, collect goodies and take part in activities.

David Burgess, managing director at Accrington Stanley, said: "We have been extremely proud to have hosted the annual #AmazingAccrington Futures Event, here at the Wham Stadium. Every Year 11 student in the borough has been invited to come and meet employers, training providers and further education institutions, and what an amazing day it has been… plus we have given them all a free ticket to come to Saturday's match."

Sara Britcliffe, MP for Hyndburn, said: "What an amazing day it has been, with so many students coming through the doors to learn about the amazing opportunities available to them in the local area.

"These young people are the future of our borough and they have all gone away happy and with lots of information to help them on their career paths."

Cllr Terry Hurn, Mayor of Hyndburn, added: "I am extremely proud to have opened this event. We are very lucky to have so many successful businesses in Hyndburn and it has been wonderful to bring both our Year 11 students and our businesses together, where hopefully they have been inspired for their future careers."

Alisha Clarkson, marketing executive at North Lancs Training Group (NLTG): "At NLTG we have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at the Futures Event today.

"We have received so much interest in our 200+ live Apprenticeship vacancies, and with the chance to earn while they learn in such a diverse range of industries, we are looking forward to seeing more of these students in the future."