SCHOOLCHILDREN were treated to a VIP tour of a housing development in an effort to educate them about the industry and increase their awareness of safety issues.

Around 30 youngsters from Salesbury CE Primary School, Blackburn, visited Westbury's Ribblesdale View development in Great Harwood as part of an initiative organised with East Lancashire Education Business Partnerships (ELEBP).

Head Peter Corbett said: "They were fascinated. They have learnt a tremendous amount -- not just about how houses are built, but also about how dangerous these places can be."

Cheryl Drinkwater, employer liaison officer with the ELEBP who co-ordinated the visit, said: "The children particularly loved wearing the hard safety hats and tremendously enjoyed getting very muddy. They were fascinated by the huge machinery used and were amazed at the different stages of development and the speed at which the properties were erected."

Site manager Alan Wright is pictured with Sarah Livesey and Robert Parker.