YOUNGSTERS swapped the streets of the town for life on the farm, and gained a new view of life.

Education officials at Leigh and Wigan said the scheme where pupils from two schools have worked on a neighbouring farm for a year has helped turn around young lives and gave students a new direction.

The children are from Westleigh High and Kingshill special school - both Leigh education action zone establishments.

A new stable block has been officially opened at the Leylands farm, in Boothstown.

Local education officials say the farm is a crucial element in the award-winning and innovative Classrooms in Companies project, funded by Wigan education business partnership, and supported by Leigh education action zone and the Wigan education authority.

New skills

A spokesman said: ''It helps young people turn around their lives, giving them a new direction by involving them in a venture to gain skills and experience in a farming environment.''

The pupils from Westleigh and Kingshill have been working at the farm for about a year and have been involved in farming activities, guiding younger children around the site on curriculum centre visits, working with farm horses and following the development of the new stable block.

Farm officials said that the new stable block will signal the start of a new era, where courses can be extended with more children benefiting.

Phil Arnold, of the education action zone at Leigh said: ''It is a project which helps raise attainment and promotes social inclusion of young people.''

Margaret Percival, who runs the family farm, said: ''The improvements in some of the older students after some time at the farm is quite outstanding.''