Students at Oxford Brookes University are living life in the fast lane, writes Rosie Parveen.

The university's School of Engineering in Headington has bought five Formula Ford racing cars as Castle Combe Racing School recently renewed its fleet.

Students studying for a B.Eng Hons Automotive Engineering degree will study the cars, looking at design, manufacture and materials to help them design future racing cars. Some of the students took the new cars for a spin at Castle Combe.

Putting theory into practice they completed a run of the Wiltshire circuit.

Student Mark Pearson said: "The opportunity to drive the cars proved a valuable experience which will help us considerably with our designs in future."

Howard Strawford, Castle Combe's managing director, said: "The fleet of Formula Fords had given us years of sterling service and came up for replacement. We are pleased that they have taken on a new lease of life helping young mechanics and designers designing the racing cars of tomorrow."