A VILLAGE near Dorchester has become a hub of learning for a new complementary health technique.

The first training course for the Body Stress Release Academy Europe is currently being run at Greenwood Grange in Higher Bockhampton, with students from around the world taking part.

Body Stress Release is a complementary manual health technique that was developed in South Africa in the 1980s and is now practised worldwide.

It could previously only be studied in South Africa but training has now been expanded to Europe in a bid to increase the number of practitioners trained every year.

A spokesman for Body Stress Release Academy Europe said: “The International Body Stress Release Association’s aim is to increase the number of prac-titioners qualifying each year.

“The establishment of the European Academy near Dor-chester will ensure the desired growth and availability of this technique for thousands of people.”

There are currently 16 students studying at Greenwood Grange, with the course attracting people from the Netherlands, Austria and Malaysia as well as from the UK.

They have been living at the venue and enjoying what Dorset has to offer over recent months.

The intake is due to complete their qualification by the end of February and Body Stress Academy Europe is hoping there will be many clients for the apprenticeship of the students.

Events will be taking place at Greenwood Grange during the weeks of February 23 and March 2, where anyone suffering from mechanical, chemical or emotional stress can try the technique at a special discounted rate. Applications are also now open for the next course at Higher Bockhampton, which will start in November this year.

Applications will be accepted until April 1.

Late applications will be considered if places are still available.