A MAYOR was taught a new skill when he visited a nature reserve.

Cllr David Whalley, the Mayor of Pendle, has become a ‘dab hand’ at using a pallet-splittter, a tool used to remove wood from pallets without splitting them following his visit Lomeshaye Marsh local nature reserve.

They met with trainees on the Myplace project, which aims to get young people with health issues to benefit from working in nature.

Myplace is a partnership between the Lancashire Wildlife Trust and the Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, which is producing results.

The Mayor and Mayoress, who are both keen on walking and other outdoor pursuits, discussed Myplace with project officer Charlotte Yates and LWT Health and Skills Manager Mike Winstanley.

A Trust spokesman said: “It was lovely to see the Mayor and Mayoress at Lomeshaye and they were fascinated by the work we are doing, particularly as Cllr Whalley has a great interest in nature and mental health matters.

“It is also recognition of the work we are doing in Lancashire.”