JOBS for the boys and girls were on offer at a special careers fair for children in Port Glasgow.

A soldier, a police officer and a vet were among the guests at Newark Primary as the school and neighbours St Michael's teamed up to give almost 100 P7 pupils food for thought about what they could do once they have finished their secondary education.

There were also representatives from West College Scotland, the University of Glasgow, JP Morgan, Ferguson Marine, Barnardo's, Children 1st, Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership and Active Schools.

Around 65 pupils from Newark and 30 from St Michael's took part in the event.

They were split into groups and given time at each station to chat to the various employees and employers to find out more about their organisations, what they do and ask questions.

Lisa McGroarty, depute head of Newark, said: "It gives the pupils a wee flavour of the different career paths available to them.

"The children were very engaged, they were unhappy when the bell went at lunch-time. "They were well prepared and did extremely well."

Almost 20 employers and educational institutions were represented at the jobs fair.

The pupils turned the tables on community police officer, Constable John Jamieson, by asking him some questions.

They got a taste of what it is like to be in the army by trying on the heavy equipment which soldier Alan Lenno brought along, and they were given a crash course in working with animals thanks to veterinary nurse Alyson Doolan, from Shore Vets in Gourock.

It was the first time the schools have worked together for the event and it is part of a greater emphasis on collaboration between the primaries.

Janet Russell, depute head of St Michael's, said: "We planned this at the start of the term as we're always looking for more opportunities to bring the children together because a lot of them are friends outside of school and they will all meet up at the shared campus when they join secondary school in the summer."

The job fair coincided with the annual 'world of work' week events held by both schools and now they plan to expand it next year.