A WOMAN who has dedicated most of her career to improving Scotland’s water network has been named one of the UK’s 50 most influential female engineers.

Belinda Oldfield is delighted to be recognised on the first list of its type to mark National Women in Engineering Day.

Now the accomplished civil engineer, a general manager with Scottish Water, hopes the list will help inspire more women into engineering careers.

She said: “My degree in civil engineering has given me an incredibly rewarding career. To be included in the Top 50 list is an incredible honour.”

Over recent years there has been a major drive to attract more girls and young women into careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics which for decades have been dominated by men.

The Top 50 list celebrates women who have made a major contribution in engineering and the increasing range of prominent roles undertaken by women in the sector. Names on the list include BBC Breakfast presenter Steph McGovern, a former engineer who works to encourage the next generation into engineering, and Chi Onwurah, MP, the only female engineer in Parliament.