Two female painting and decorating students from Ipswich are hoping to inspire other women to join the construction industry, as part of a rallying call for International Women's Day.

Eve Parker and Grace Harley, both 16, are studying apprenticeships at Suffolk Rural College and want to encourage more women to enter this traditionally male-dominated industry.

Miss Harley works for Ipswich Town Football Club (ITFC) alongside her level two painting and decorating apprenticeship.

She said: "My advice would be to say - don't follow the crowd and be yourself and take a leap.

"I think all industries need to be more open-minded and get the message out to children at a younger age that you can do anything."

East Anglian Daily Times: Students Grace Harley (left) and Eve Parker (right), with their lecturer Gemma Parish.Students Grace Harley (left) and Eve Parker (right), with their lecturer Gemma Parish. (Image: Suffolk New College)

Miss Parker, who works for Barnes Construction echoed this, saying: "We've got a female painting and decorating tutor and that was certainly inspiring.

"It's inspirational that women are taking more of a different direction to traditional stereotypes and it's great to raise these issues during International Women's Day.

"We want to try and make sure others aren't afraid to consider construction as a career."