YOUNG ambassadors to Chorley's Hungarian twin town have hailed a recent visit as a great success.

Pupils from two of the borough's high schools - Parklands and Bishop Rawstorne - spent a week in Szekesfehervar to sample the country's culture.

Accompanied by teachers and council bosses, the youngsters took part in a youth festival to strengthen links between the two towns.

Students also played a cricket match at host school Toparti Gymnasium and joined in folk dancing, craft and English lessons.

The trip was organised following an invitation from the mayor of Szekesfehervar and was sponsored by Fairport Engineering of Adlington and Royal Ordnance.

Parklands music teacher Christopher Bowden said: "Pupils from both schools got a great deal out of this visit and it gave us a chance to compare life in Hungary with this country."

Jan Justin, teacher at Bishop Rawstorne, Croston, added: "It was good to experience a different way of life and we have a greater understanding of Hungarian people and feel privileged to have met them."

Council tourism chief Colin Campbell said: "This was an ideal opportunity to widen our twinning links and allow our young people to experience the culture, lifestyle and traditions of the area.

"It's an ideal way of making contacts abroad to benefit the education of our children and provide economic opportunities as well. The young people were marvellous ambassadors and did themselves and the town proud."

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