THE iconic Marsden Old Hall in Nelson is being brought back into use as a base for a new forest school.

The Walton Lane Nursery School and Children’s Centre are creating the school in Marsden Park.

They will launch the Marsden Park Forest School on Saturday December 1 with a family open day to show off the kinds of activities on offer at the park.

Coun Nadeem Ahmed, Pendle Council’s executive member for parks and recreation, said: “We’re really pleased that the Old Hall is being brought back into use.

“When we used funding from the Heritage Lottery to renovate the Old Hall back in 2006, one condition was that the building had to have a community use.

“I feel this is the perfect use for a building set within a park. Forest schools give children wonderful outdoor experiences to complement their classroom learning.

“Pendle’s schools are so fortunate to have this fantastic new facility on their doorstep.”

Angela Woodward, deputy head of Walton Lane Nursery School and Children’s Centre, said: “We’re so excited about launching our forest school and are busy getting ready to show local families, schools and other organisations exactly what types of activities will be available in the park. Our forest school will enable Pendle children to be active and creative in a natural environment.

“A well-led forest school is an inspirational process that offers children, young people and adults regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a local woodland environment.”

Marsden Park Forest School will run its first sessions for local schools in January.