BUDDING creatives are being encouraged to go back to school.

Lowton CE High School’s term-time adult education crochet sessions are set to return from 5pm to 7pm on Wednesdays to allow people to harness their talent.

Students have created bags, hats, quilts, scarves as well as more specialised items such as delicate Japanese style of amigurumi.

The class is led by former primary school head teacher Michelle Silcock.

She said: “Crochet is one of those crafts that is extremely popular at the moment.

“It takes a little bit of time and patience for new students to grasp the basics but once they have, there’s no stopping them.

“It can be very calming and quite a therapeutic hobby.

“Once people join the class and start their first piece you can see their self-confidence grow.

“But whatever you do, don’t call it knitting.”

The school’s adult education courses are open for anyone aged over 19 with people aged over 90 already signed up.

Ruth Kirkham, from Tyldsley, and Louisa Brown, from Leigh, are both abstract art students at the school.

Ruth said: “I have been taking part in the classes for three years now. 

“Every course is something new and challenging. We started by looking at some of the great abstract artists and copying their style.

"It’s not about being able to draw or paint in a conventional sense, it’s about capturing a mood or feeling.

"My house is full of my own works now and some of us have gone on to show our work in local exhibitions, which is really exciting.”

The course has benefited Louisa at work.

She added: “We work in lots of different mediums like painting and modelling and each has its own challenges.

“I started off working in the expressive arts when I was younger but now I work in computers, which is just about as different as you can get.”

“What I have found is that when you have completed a piece and presented it to your friends and course mates it gives you a real sense of pride and achievement.

"It’s made me more confident at work when I am giving presentations or speaking to a group.

“My advice is if you ever wanted to try something but have always been waiting for the right opportunity, then here it is.

"It’s the start of an adventure and who knows where it might take you.”

For more information about the adult education courses visit lowtonhighschool.co.uk.