SIXTEEN local businesses have taken part in a careers fair and choices evening at Denes High School in Lowestoft.Year nine students are choosing the subjects most closely linked with their chosen careers and over the last four years Denes in Yarmouth Road has organised the event to give pupils the chance to talk to local businesses before choosing their key stage four subjects.

SIXTEEN local businesses have taken part in a careers fair and choices evening at Denes High School in Lowestoft.

Year nine students are choosing the subjects most closely linked with their chosen careers and over the last four years Denes in Yarmouth Road has organised the event to give pupils the chance to talk to local businesses before choosing their key stage four subjects.

Those taking part this year included the RAF, Suffolk Police, Essex and Suffolk Water, SLP, Persimmon Holmes and Connexions.

Jenny Chilvers, business links

co-ordinator said: 'This event has been a fantastic opportunity for us to build on and develop our partnership with local businesses and the community.'

The diplomas on offer at the school are available as part of a wider partnership between Denes, Benjamin Britten, the Ashley School and Kirkley High schools, as well as Lowestoft and Easton Colleges.

Diplomas are new qualifications for 14-to-19-year-olds and are the first to be available in Lowestoft.

They are designed to help young people to prepare for the world of work whether via college, university or directly into employment.