A LOCAL Guide pack has stretched a hand of friendship thousands of miles to Russia.

It was two years ago when the 20th Rossendale Edenfield Parish Church Guides first travelled to Siberia to team up with foreign counterparts.

And this week it was the turn of the Russian Guides to come to Edenfield for their first ever exchange visit. During their month-long visit they will be living with local families.

Mrs Lynn Longworth, whose daughter Helen is in the local guides, said: "Guides from both countries have been in touch with each other for the past three years. The local Guides have managed to travel to Siberia twice, which was quite an achievement. However, it seemed like an impossible task to bring the Guides from Siberia to this country so this is really something."

As well as sightseeing and getting a taste of Lancashire hospitality, the Guides are also on a course to teach English as a foreign language.

Mrs Longworth added: "A real friendship between has been established and will hopefully continue for a long time to come."