ONE of the UK's top scientists will call for more girls to be given what are traditionally boys' toys to help them develop an interest in science and engineering during a high profile appearance in Bradford.

Dame Athene Donald, Professor of Experimental Physics at Cambridge University, is taking over as president of the British Science Association and will give her first Presidential address at the British Science Festival at Bradford University next week.

The address will highlight the importance of allowing girls to play with toys such as Lego and Meccano at a young age. She will also criticise schools that provide pupils with "lazy" work experience placements that reinforce gender stereotypes.

Last night, Dame Athene said: "We need to change the way we think about boys and girls and what's appropriate for them from a very early age. Does the choice of toys matter? I believe it does.

"We introduce social constructs by stereotyping what toys boys and girls receive from the earliest age. Girls toys are typically liable to lead to passivity - combing the hair of Barbie, for instance - not building, imagining or being creative with Lego or Meccano."

She said even when girls got older and looked for work experience, they were likely to find themselves placed in hairdressing salons while schools sent boys to the "local garage".

"This isn't good for either sex," Dame Athene added.

She pointed out that her own field of physics was notorious for its lack of girl students, who accounted for only about a fifth of all those taking the subject at A-level.

Deborah Saia, owner of Farfield Nursery in Shipley, said: "I think it is important to encourage children to play with all types of toys. We do this in the nursery and the parents are normally very supportive of it."

Dame Athene's message has been backed by a Bradford group working to inspire women to study science, technology, engineering and maths.

WISE is a project aimed at getting more girls and women involved in science, technology, engineering and maths courses and careers.

Director Helen Wollaston agreed with Dame Athene's comments.

"Out-dated stereotypes create a psychological barrier for girls, and boys, which means they rule out certain jobs and careers as not for them, even if the jobs in question are most suited to their talents and interests," she said.

"Many WISE role models tell us no one at school mentioned engineering as a possible career. Shockingly, some girls are actively discouraged by teachers or parents from careers which could in fact offer them better money and prospects than more traditionally female occupations."

WISE will reveal a new resource for teachers and parents on Tuesday to help them get the message across to girls.

The launch takes place at the National Media Museum at 11am and is hosted by BBC business news presenter Stephanie McGovern.