From baking to bricklaying, youngsters try their hands at a range of skills . . . IT WAS a job well done when a Farnworth high school invited employers from across Bolton to give pupils an introduction to the world of work.

And it was no paper exercise at Harper Green School because Year 9 pupils were asked to try their hands at a range of different skills from baking to bricklaying and to bridge building.

Each year the school on Harper Green Lane, holds an Industrial Awareness Day which allows pupils preparing to embark on GCSE studies to find out more about possible future careers.

Businesses and organisations taking part included Bolton bakers Greenhalgh, the ambulance and fire service, the Army, high street banks, colleges and training companies. The 13 and 14-year-olds could build their own wall, decorate their own cake or even learn how to save someone's life in an emergency.

Assistant headteacher Vivien Sharples said: "For many of the pupils it is a chance to learn more about a range of different careers open to them which may help them when it comes to choosing their GCSE options, for others it helps to confirm what they think they would like to do when they leave school." Ref: j790/9 Ref: j789/33 Health and beauty: Jodie Thomas tries her hand at painting false nails Rick Bagnall learns the art of bricklaying