Schools and colleges across the area have given the thumbs up to Learn to Sign Week.

Top of the class are parents of youngsters at All Hallows Catholic High School in Penwortham where a taster class in British Sign Language was oversubscribed.

Following the success of a signing club in school, languages tutor Linda Swayne decided to offer the basic course to parents, starting with a series of four taster sessions.

Mrs Swayne said: "We are running four free taster sessions and wanted to see what the response was for a full course.

"The response to the first lesson was fantastic. We needed about 12-16 places and 22 turned up, including a couple of deaf people, with another joining since.

"We have been learning the alphabet and from this want to set up proper lessons after school."

All week in school the year sevens will be learning basic signing during their normal French and German lessons.

Mrs Swayne added: "We have also offered to raise some money for the British Deaf Association so with the year sevens decided to run cake stalls at break and lunchtime on Monday and Tuesday."

On Monday the school's staff briefing included a message in sign and leaflets showing the sign alphabet have been displayed around the Crabtree Avenue school in a bid to encourage other staff and pupils to show and interest school.

The story of the famous jousting tournament at Camelot Theme Park in Chorley will be told in sign language for the first time.

The theme park is using the services of an interpreter for the action packed event at the UK's only permanent jousting arena to help raise awareness of British Sign Language.

The special show at 12.30pm on Saturday, October 11 will be joined by pupils from local schools who are learning sign language as part of the educational events for Learn to Sign Week .

The initiative has been organised by the British Deaf Association which is offering guests the chance to buy half price tickets for this particular weekend, with a donation from each going to the Association.