RECORD numbers of students have enrolled at a college this year - with many breaking with tradition in their choice of vocation.

More than 800 people turned up at Waltham Forest College, in Forest Road, for the first day of enrolment, twice the number from last year.

But lecturers have been impressed by the number of women picking vocations traditionally considered 'unsuitable for a lady' such as engineering or catering.

Whereas many men are swapping tools for sewing kits and scissors by taking up fashion and hairdressing.

Student Haseena Mollany has always been passionate about motorbikes and cars and said it was natural choice for her to enrol on a motor vehicle and maintenance course.

The 26-year-old said: “When I worked in a garage the boss was a bit weary of having a female around at first. But then he noticed more women coming into the garage because they were less intimidated.”

The mum-of-one, who is starting level three of the course next week, admits that at first she didn't even how to open a car bonnet, but now she knows her way around an engine and is comfortable with the physical demands of the job.

Enrolling on an NVQ in hairdressing, is former music and performance student Ian Farrell, who decided to make a career change to learn a profession he had always been interested in.

The 32-year-old said: “I am used to be in an environment when people have told me, “boys don't dance or sing”, but I like breaking down stereotypes. It is mixed sex in the army and many of my female friends play football, whereas I don't have a clue.”

Other young men who are pursuing their creative streak are fashion students Luqman Ali and Niya Mignott, both 18, who say there will be three male students on a course of 12.

Mr Mignott, whose idol is designer Alexander McQueen, said: “When I grew up I became interested in clothes, but I thought it was mostly for females. But men wear clothes too. My friends used to tease me, but now they get it.”

Russell Joseph, head of school and vocational care at the college, said there has been a huge increase in men signing up for health and social care courses and hairdressing.

He said: “It is really good when we get the boys applying for courses that are more traditionally female courses. I see it as a very positive thing.”

Chef lecturer David Sears says the gender mix on the catering course is now equal compared to when it was more dominated by men.

He said: “It is losing its stigma of being a male-dominated industry because you have more famous female chefs.”