The family who put Bradford on the automotive map have given scholarships to engineering students to help them drive their careers forward.

Descendants of the famous Jowett family were at Bradford Industrial Museum to present Benjamin Jowett Memorial Scholarships to six Bradford University students.

The awards of £1,000 have been given annually since 1999 to students for academic excellence on admission to the first year of their undergraduate studies.

Marjorie Illingworth, daughter of Benjamin Jowett who co-founded the Jowett car company in Bradford in 1901, set up the scholarship in memory of her father and to acknowledge the contribution the family made to the industrial and automobile industry.

Her son, John Illingworth, was at the museum in Eccleshill yesterday to present the awards to the students.

He said: "I helped mum set up the scholarship so I am very keen to continue her work.

"The awards are particularly significant this year because it is the centenary anniversary of the first model being created in the city."

His sister Jenny Reavill was also there. She said: "It is important that the contribution the Jowett car made is remembered.

"It is an excellent way to encourage new talent."

Students had the opportunity to look at the various Jowett cars produced by their benefactors that are on display in the transport section at the museum.

Award winner Gabriel Akinola said he did not know about the cars before coming to Bradford.

"I hadn't heard of the make before but now I have seen the cars they are giving me lots of good ideas," he said.

"Winning the scholarship isn't about the money. It is all about the fact that the hard work I have done has been recognised."

Another award winner, Paul Palmer, said he knew about the cars because his dad's friend owned one.

"I have had a passion for cars since I was young and I particularly like the Jowett," he said. "They are fantastic cars and examples of British engineering at its best."

Professor Andrew Day, dean at the school of engineering, design and technology at the university, said the awards helped to motivate the students.

"The awards really help to drive them forward," he said. "We are very grateful to the Jowett family for their continued support to the education of engineering that helps us to recognise the achievements of our degree students."

e-mail: jennifer.sugden @bradford.newsquest.co.uk