GET on your wellies and head down to Roadford Lake this winter to learn traditional skills as the South West Lakes Trust holds a series of rural skills courses.

The series of one-day courses starts with hedge-laying on Sunday December 13 at 9.30am.

Hedge-laying has been a craft since the 18th century, when barbed wire was unknown and hedges were needed to contain live stock.

Nowadays, hedge-layers are concerned with conserving countryside as well as creating stock proof hedges.

A coppicing course is the next in the series on Sunday January 24.

Courses are £10 per session, and booking is essential as only eight places are available. To book a place or for more information call 01566 771930.