FAIRFORD charity The Ernest Cook Trust has welcomed two new recruits to its education team.

The Trust owns and manages country estates throughout England while encouraging children to learn from the land through activities designed and run by education officers.

This term ECT welcomed new education officers Peter Tatham and Ruth Chillitupa, to help run activities for the 25,000 children who visit the estates all across the country each year.

"This is a great job," said Peter, who has studied sculpting and launched a company making mountain boards in the past. "Each day is different and I also get the chance to work one-to-one with secondary school students who are having a difficult time in the classroom."

Ruth Chillitupa began her career leading high-altitude trekking tours in South America and the Middle East. After qualifying as a teacher, she taught in a primary school in Wiltshire, and most recently spent a year teaching in Peru.

"For me, this job brings the two strands together; the outdoor side of me and the teaching,” she said. "Bringing children out into such a rich environment really brings out the best in them."

Chief executive at ECT Nicholas Ford said he was pleased to welcome the pair to the team. "I look forward to making full use of their skills and experience to benefit the children and young people visiting our estates."