AN EAST Lancashire business boss has piloted a bizarre management training programme, learning skills from falcons.

Neil Robinson, a project manager for East Lancashire Coachbuilders in Blackburn, was one of eight people to take part in a one day course management course at Cheshire Falconry near Northwich, Cheshire, last week.

Neil, who lives in Rawtenstall said: "I have been on a great many training courses with various companies over the years and I can honestly say this was by far the most memorable.

Having hands-on experience with birds of prey gave it a completely unique dimension."

"As well as being an exciting and exhilarating experience for the individual, it has the potential to bring a range of practical benefits to businesses."

The course, the only one of its kind in Britain, involved participants getting falcons and eagle owls to respond to their commands to learn communication skills.

The aim is to build up mutual respect and strengthen communication skills by using signs and body language to communicate with the birds.

The course was founded by business psychologist Anita Morris who came up with the idea after watching the falconers at work during a visit to Cheshire Falconry last week.