FARMER Catherine Cross is off to South Africa on Monday after winning a scholarship.

Catherine, 19, who helps run Lower Shorrock Hey Farm, Pleasington, with her family was awarded the two-week trip by Lancashire Young Farmers and travel company EIL Programmes after coming out tops in a series of interviews.

Catherine will visit Johannesburg, South Africa's largest city, and spend some time touring sheep and dairy farms in South Transvaal.

She will be staying with families and will study the culture of the country and trends since the end of apartheid.

The trip will also include a visit to the Black African township of Soweto.

Catherine said: "I am looking forward especially to observing the diffferent methods used by farmers.

"I visited Australia when I was 16, so I will be able to make comparisons with their methods as well."

Catherine is a member of the Samlesbury branch of Lancashire Young Farmers.

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