INTO AFRICA: S

tudents are heading on a trip to South Africa next week

so they can widen their cultural horizons and support youngsters from deprived townships.

A total of 27 young people from Stoke-on-Trent College and Stoke-on-Trent City Council's youth service fly to Cape Town on Tuesday for a 12-day expedition.

The youngsters, aged between 16 and 21, will be delivering sports coaching to primary school pupils and helping them with their reading skills. They will also sample classes at their partner school, Manenberg High.

Calvin Austin, the further education sports co-ordinator at Stoke-on-Trent College, said: "We've been running the project since 2005. Every year, the young people get a massive amount out of it in terms of social and personal development."

The students took part in a

send-off

at the college yesterday

. Pictured are 18-year-olds Amy Warburton,

from Chell, and Chris Proctor, from Lightwood.

Picture: Steve Bould