The Bloodhound Super-Sonic Car project aimed at setting a new land speed record may have been delayed but the education programme it has inspired is steaming ahead.

Bloodhound was set to attempt to run at more than 800 mph later this year but this has now been put back to 2018.

Richard Noble, Bloodhound director explained: "It is frustrating to change our schedule again - we know everyone is excited about seeing the car run. We want that too but our pace of development has to be pegged to the flow of funding.

"We enjoy terrific support from the public (34,800 of whom have now paid to put their name on the tail fin, for example) and have a strong track record when it comes to fundraising with major sponsors.

"Interest from big brands is, if anything, increasing as we get closer to running: we have recently agreed new partnerships with a global IT company and a leading fashion brand, which we look forward to announcing soon. A number of other substantial deals are also in negotiation."

The Bloodhound project is helping to encourage more young people to become the engineers of the future and raise the profile of STEM subjects-Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths - especially amongst young women.

Renishaw, the Wotton-under-Edge based engineering company with core skills in measurement, motion control, healthcare, spectroscopy and manufacturing, is supporting the project.

Chris Pockett, head of communications at Renishaw, said: "From the outset, the Bloodhound Supersonic car project has been about inspiring a new generation of engineers and scientists.

"Whilst Renishaw is a technology supplier to the team, with several key metal 3D printed components, we also support its educational aims.

"On Friday April 7th we have invited 180 pupils from six of our local primary schools to see the full-size replica car at our HQ site near Wotton-under-Edge and to take part in educational workshops led by members of the Bloodhound education team, with all costs for the day covered by us."