ONE OF Oswestry’s biggest employers is taking an unusual step to reduce the number of days staff take off sick.

It has introduced pilates lessons.

The British Ironwork Centre says it wants to provide staff with weekly health-focused classes to help their sense of wellbeing.

An Ironworks spokesman said: “Statistics show an estimated 137.3 million working days were lost because of sickness and injury in the UK in 2016.

“Although this has decreased significantly since the 1990s, this number is incredibly high and we would love to contribute to a lower number by providing our staff with weekly health-focused classes.

“Carole Main from Mainly Pilates is now visiting us.

“She is an experienced pilates teacher and specialises in teaching small groups with an initial focus on fixing bad posture, which she believes is the first hurdle when it comes to reducing back, neck and shoulder pains and achieving core strength and better overall health.

“Specially designed to target the right muscles to increase core strength and improve overall mobility, Carole’s classes suit all experience levels.

“We have received a certificate that recognises us as an official Mainly Pilates partner. We have loved working with Carole so far and can’t wait to see where this new partnership continues to take us.”

Pilates classes are free to staff and Ironworks members and will run every Wednesday from 4pm to 5pm.

“I hope people join us and Carole among the iron safari for a ‘relaxed’ afternoon of muscle stretching,” said the spokesman.

The classes will be held indoors in wet weather.