VIVE la difference! Students from France are currently touring the area getting to grips with the English way of life thanks to a local school.

Leyland St Mary's RC Grant-Maintained Technology, Royal Avenue, Leyland, is currently playing host to 26 French schoolchildren from the College Catholique Sant-Dominique in Vichy, a famous spa town in the Central Massif region of France.

During their visit, part of an exchange programme which involves students from the Leyland school getting to grips with life continental style, they visited various attractions in the region.

They visited the Mayor of South Ribble, Coun Jim Owen, and the Mayoress, Mrs Joan Owen, pictured with Cecile Baudin, 13, at the borough's Civic Centre.

Coun Owen talked the students through his job and answered questions about the area.

He said: "It is wonderful that youngsters get the chance to expand their minds by travelling abroad at such a young age. It was a delight to meet them."

They will visit other North West attractions before going home.

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