TEACHERS from a Blackburn school will march to the beat of an African drum later this month when they head off to the Gambia.

The group, from Cedars Infant School, will pass on their skills and knowledge to Gambian teachers and pupils.

Frances Neale, 54, Anne Davies, 52, Rachel Furness, 29 and Anna O'Grady, 30, as well as nursery nurse Saima Shah, 24, are taking part in a government programme called Teachers International Professional Development.

The scheme provides grants of up to £6,000 for schools to take teachers to share their skills and knowledge with schools abroad.

After leaving for their two week study trip next Monday, the group will be staying in a compound outside the small village of Manjai Cunda near the capital Bajul.

Much of their time will be spent learning about African drumming and the local culture and setting up links with an English speaking local school.

Anne O'Grady has been a reception class teacher at the school for 5 years. She said: "I'm very very excited but I never thought I'd get picked to go.

Miss O'Grady, who hopes to explain some of our technologies to the Gambian children, added: "I don't have a clue what to expect!"

Bi-lingual Nursery Nurse, Saima Shah, who specialises in music and also speaks Urdu and Punjabi, said: "While the culture difference could be an initial shock I don't mind and I'm sure we'll get over it quickly." The Teacher's International Professional Development programme has taken East Lancashire schools to Canada, Australia and Jamaica over the past four years.

But this will be the first time the project has sent a local school to Africa.

A spokesman for the Local Education Authority said: "This scheme is a valuable opportunity to expand teachers and pupils horizons, learn about another country and a different culture and use that to enrich the curriculum back in Blackburn."

The school would welcome any donations of gifts for the children of the Gambian school such as pens, note books or T-shirts.

It would also like to hear from local Parent Teacher Associations who would like to get their school involved with the presentations Cedars will be making on their return.

Mrs Beaumont can be contacted on 01254 261609.