THE graduation ceremony of the first students of a new school for alternative therapies literally went with a bang.

Students at the Northern School of Neuro-Linguistic Programming in Whalley held a drumming session to mark their graduation as NLP practitioners, treating phobias and pains.

Fran Burgess and Derek Jackson, of Billington, opened the school at the beginning of the year. The couple hope the school, next to Whalley railway station, will become a centre of excellence for the teaching of alternative therapies and attract the country's top experts for lectures and seminars.

The school's first graduates are 10 East Lancashire people who have undertaken a challenging six-month practitioner course in neuro-linguistic programming.

Derek Jackson said the students were encouraged to try their hand at new and challenging activities throughout the six-month training period.

"This included scuba-diving and drumming.

"The course went very well and the school has enjoyed a promising start.

"It is attracting a broad range of local people interested in learning more about alternative therapies," he said.

Further details of this and all other courses are available from Fran Burgess on 01254 824504.

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