A RETIRED Oswaldtwistle headteacher has spoken of his sadness over the decline of children's outdoor education, while academic pressures have risen.

Peter Linley, who grew up in Blackburn, finished work at St Paul's Primary School on Friday and received good wishes and gifts from colleagues and pupils.

But speaking to the Evening Telegraph, he voiced concerns over increased health-and-safety restrictions, which he feels have stifled children's access to the countryside.

He said: "I'm not suited to the pressure we are putting on children. It's a bit much."

Mr Linley added he was a trustee at Clitheroe's Chaigley Manor which given to Accrington years ago so under-privileged children could go to enjoy outdoor education.

"Our school used to go for two weeks, away from the streets to be near trees and rivers. But we had to sell it because we could not afford the risk assessment needs, which was sad. It was the highlight of the year.

"Now you can't walk by a river or pond without getting special permission. It's over-the-top. I understand Lancashire has had some serious accidents with children, but everyone is paying. It's been a severe blow."

He said his Oswaldtwistle school was surrounded by terraced streets but close to Foxhill Bank nature reserve, which was opened by Prince Charles.

But Mr Linley added: "We can't go there now unless we give dates, details, and get special permission."

He joined St Paul's School as deputy head in 1982 and became head in 1986. Before, he was based at Great Harwood's St John's Primary School.

Among the changes within education over the last 20 years, he recalled the National Curriculum's introduction and schools' increased self-governance and financial independence.

He plans to spend the next few months "quietly".