Of all the new skills to learn during lockdown, not many could say learning braille was top of their list.

That's has not been the case for Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic School pupil, Leoni Chapman though, as she's been making use of her spare time to learn the touch reading system so she can communicate with her cousin, Emily Whittle, who is blind.

Emily, who currently attends St John the Baptist RC Primary School, lost her sight after contracting meningitis as a baby.

Leoni said: “I haven’t been able to visit Emily during lockdown, so around two weeks ago I decided to learn braille.

"I bought a book to help me, and my aunt, Emily’s mum, loaned me a machine to use and I have picked it up reasonably quickly.

“I have sent Emily a card with a reassuring message on it and it’s great to be able to send messages which Emily can read.

"And so far she says she likes it."

Emily is due to start at Blessed Trinity with her twin sister, Jasmine, in September, and has been making special visits to the Burnley school during lockdown to help make her transition easier.

Leoni’s head of year, Lucy Mirfield said: “This is just one of the strings to Leoni’s bow whilst she has been in lockdown.

"At home, as well as keeping up to date with her work, Leoni has undertaken many other tasks, such as baking, crafts, helping look after and teach her sibling and learning new skills.

“Leoni has approached every aspect of home learning with enthusiasm and effort.

“Her positivity is inspirational. As her head of year I am extremely proud of her."