TWO policemen are jetting across the Atlantic to learn new ways of preventing racism among children in East Lancashire.

Sergeant Paul Goodall, 38, and PC Steve Cox, 44, head out to Boston today where they will spend two weeks analysing the methods of its police department.

They said Boston is similar to East Lancashire, with a white majority and large ethnic minority groups making up its population.

During the past decade, Boston police department has tested many innovative techniques aimed at bringing children from different backgrounds together.

PC Cox and Sgt Goodall believe studying these initiatives will enable them to enrich policing in the Eastern Division, covering Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.

The policemen worked together for many years, although they are now in separate departments, with Sgt Goodall overseeing community beat managers and PC Cox working for the ethnic minorities team. However, they have kept in touch because of their shared passion for helping young people from different backgrounds mix.

Sgt Goodall lived in Calcutta, India, from the age of two to 14 as his father, David, was a missionary doctor.

As a result he can speak Bengali. He also learned Urdu at Blackburn College. He said: "I was at an English boarding school where there were 20 white families out of the 700 pupils. I was in the minority there.

"That influenced my perception and gave me an insight into racist views. That's why I wanted to work with the Asian community.

"Steve has a wealth of experience and has been in the minorities team for years. He was a teacher in London so he has an interest in helping young people.

"I am keen to work with children to focus on young people because they are our future generation. We need to get young people together and that will build bridges."

PC Cox, from Burnley, and Sgt Goodall, from Oswaldtwistle, were researching policing methods for young people on the internet 18 months ago when they discovered Boston's approach.

They submitted a bid to the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime, a charity funded by businesses which gives grants for good causes. Before getting the £2,000 grant, they had to beat off seven other bids and give a presentation to the then Chief Constable Pauline Clare.

On their return, they will report back to senior officers with the aim of Boston-influenced initiatives being in place here by the summer. It won't all be work, however, in the bright lights of Boston.

Sgt Goodall said: "I will visit the Cheers pub as I am a big fan of the show, and the fact that the trip coincides with St Patrick's Day is completely accidental!"