LIVING off the land comes naturally to a Mosley Common family who have been farming for centuries.

Now the Percivals, who farm 46 acres at Leyland's Farm in The City, are passing on their wealth of experience to junior sons and daughters of the soil.

Through an Education Business Partnership initiative supported by Leigh Education Action Zone, they are happily passing on their farming skills to a new and inquisitive generation, most of which doesn't go spud-picking for spends or picking and packing lettuces in the summer hols.

The farming novices are being given hands-on experience at the farm where beef cattle, sheep and poultry are bred.

Farmer Margaret Percival said: "We are showing them a different approach to life in the 21st century. We are letting them see there is something else in the world away from the hustle and bustle of a hi-tech world."

The pioneering programme began two years ago and was an immediate success.

A handful of teenagers from Tyldesley's Kingshill School and Leigh highs Bedford and Westleigh are currently involved in the project through EAZ and EBP and learning key skills in the farming environment.

Leylands Farm is a favourite day out for primary school pupils who spend a day there enjoying being with animals and learning about life on the land in the farm's Living Classroom where the teenagers also assist.