A GROUP of young people from Bank Top, Blackburn, will see grinding poverty at first-hand when they visit the streets of Bombay.

Nine men and women, aged between 19 and 23, supported by Blackburn with Darwen Council's youth service, are leaving soon for the 18-day trip to India to help further their experience of community work.

The group first got together at a local football club and later became involved in a series of soccer-based projects and racism issues.

In Bombay, which has recently been renamed Mumbai, they will work with a voluntary organisation called Support, which offers basic health centre care and educational opportunities for street children through drop-in centres and a rehabilitation centre for child drug addicts.

Council youth services manager Kate Clements, said: "They are being supported by Blackburn with Darwen youth service and intend using the knowledge and experience they gain during the trip to develop work in their own community.

Coun Bill Taylor, chairman of the council's education and training committee, said: I would like to congratulate these young people for getting involved in these issues and helping to put something back into the community."

On their return the group will make a presentation of their work to family, friends, council members and staff.

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