COUNCIL chief executive Paul Wilding swapped his high-powered post for bricks and mortar yesterday.

Despite his grammar school and university education, the head of District of Easington Council had long harboured a yearning to have a go at a more manual task.

Yesterday, thanks to National Learning at Work Day, Mr Wilding temporarily turned his back on high-level administration to begin a ten-week course in bricklaying.

The opportunity to learn the new skill came from East Durham and Houghall Community College, where Mr Wilding has signed on for one day a week tuition.

Among a host of brick-built test pieces, Mr Wilding picked up his trowel to take his opportunity to become a DIY "brickie".

"It's something I've always wanted to do,'' said Mr Wilding, who is looking forward to being able to build garden walls at his home.

He will not be given any preferential treatment on the course and will have his skills tested with everyone else at the end of the course.

The chief executive's venture into learning new skills looks likely to be followed by other members of his 1,200-strong workforce, as college tutors are planning to take courses direct to the authority's offices and depots.

College principal Ian Prescott said: "We are delighted that such a high-profile public figure has set such a fine example to learners.