Cars fit for super heroes built from the bones of second hand vehicles will feature at an exhibition to promote engineering in the Midlands.

Pupils from across the West Midlands are heading to Birmingham's International Convention Centre to compete in the final of two school projects run by N-geneering West Midlands, a group of companies seeking to promote engineer-ing to young people and boost training.

Around 400 schoolchildren aged 11 to 14 are taking part in the final of The Matrix and Think Engineering schemes on Monday.

The finals are part of a day to promote engineering as a career and to introduce parents, children, teachers and employers to a new web-based system, to help young people choose career opportunities suited to them.

Since last November, 15 students from each school have been partnered with a local company, who worked with them to help provide and incorporate their design ideas.

2005 winners, Ludlow Church of England School, were mentored by McConnell, a manufacturer of hedge and verge mowers.

The school produced an electrically driven control box for powering and controlling McConnell's hedge mowers. As well as 400 schoolchildren there is also expected to be over 50 organisations including, employers, training prov iders, colleges and universities.

Bill Nicholls, director of education and training development at the Engineering Employers' Federation West Midlands, said it was an exciting opportunity to promote engineering to young people.

"I hope everyone will have a fantastic day and we can help promote engineering as a career.

"The projects are very popular with schools, pupils and parents."