ARITHMETIC is a doddle for French number-cruncher Jerome Franzina... but he just can't figure out Lancashire lingo.

Jerome, 24, is brushing up his business studies in Burnley - but while maths is the same in any language, the local accent has got him stumped.

The student, from Soissy-sur-Seine, is on work experience at Burnley's Community Advice Centre, helping to sort out problems for people in debt - and he's had no problem mastering the centre's computer system.

"Jerome has been doing very well," said centre manager David Presto. "He is coping with the paperwork, but I think he has a bit of trouble with our Burnley accents!"

Jerome and nine other French students are on three-week placements in the area. They are studying for France's equivalent of National Vocational Qualifications and are over here on a trip funded by the European Union's Horizon programme for trainees.

The East Lancashire Into Employment organisation has also arranged work placements at the college, the library, the council and firms in Nelson and Colne as well as at ELIE's own Cavour Street base.

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