A FORMER Pendle secondary school science teacher, Sarah Burgess, is Chorley's first countryside officer.

Sarah, 26, has joined the authority from SS Fisher More High in Colne.

A keen outdoor sports enthusiast, who enjoys walking and mountain biking, Sarah said she had been "waiting for a job like this to come along". and she is raring to go.

Sarah said: "I didn't enjoy classroom teaching. I admire people who do it but it wasn't for me.

"I'd decided I was going to leave before this job came up but then it did and I decided to go for it. This job allows me to really

use my ecology degree, something I felt I wasn't doing as a teacher."

As part of her new role within leisure services, Sarah will be busy developing the events and education programme at Yarrow Valley Country Park.

She has already devised a packed schedule for the half-term in October which was hugely successful and is now working on a programme for next year.

Coun Cath Hoyle, Chorley's executive member for life and leisure, said: "Sarah's appointment sparks a new era for leisure services and Yarrow Valley. Her aim will be to promote the park and its facilities and ensure everyone in and around Chorley makes the best possible use of it.

"I'm already impressed with her commitment and enthusiasm and am looking forward to taking part in some of the event she is so keen to organise. It looks brilliant."

Using her experience as a teacher, Sarah will also be developing an educational programme tied into the National Curriculum which will include school visits to the park and its visitor centre.

"Before I got this job I'd never been to Yarrow Valley but it is fantastic and the visitor centre is very impressive. The education programme will capitalise on the facility by inviting both primary and secondary schools to get involved. We will also be looking for volunteers to help keep the Visitor Centre open as much as possible."