COUNCIL chiefs in Rossendale are going back to the floor' to get a better understanding of the jobs performed by their staff.

And George Graham, the council's executive director of resources, swapped pen pushing to dig up the facts about working in the parks department as part of the scheme.

He spent the day mowing the grass at Bacup Cemetery and Stubbylee Park before moving on to carry out inspections on playground equipment in the valley's parks.

The task was set up as part of the authority's Back to the Floor' initiative, which involves senior officers and councillors undertaking front line work for the council, doing everyday jobs.

It is designed to give senior officers and councillors a better understanding of the type of work that takes place and the challenges faced by staff in their day-to-day jobs.

The initiative will also see chief executive Carolyn Wilkins collecting bins and deputy chief executive Helen Lockwood cleaning the streets.

Mr Graham, a 41-year-old married father-of-two, said: "It was a very tiring day. It made me realise how unfit I actually was because it took some real effort to push the lawnmower around the park and cemetery.

"The idea follows on from the BBC TV programme Back to the Floor' where top managers were going back to the front line.

"It was a great experience in terms of gaining a great understanding of what goes on.

"We have always appreciated the work our staff do but it just helps bring home exactly what they have to do on a day-to-day level."

If the initiative proves to be successful, Back to the Floor' days will be organised every six months and the scheme may be expanded to other managers.