NINE students are flying down to Rio thanks to the annual Thwaites Scholarship. The students from all over Lancashire will spend two weeks on the trip, which organisers say is no summer holiday.

The party will first stay with host families in Sao Carlos before weaving their way to Rio de Janeiro for a final three days.

"The point of the expedition is to experience a whole new culture," says team leader Christopher Jenkins of Blackburn College.

"It's an educational visit with a well-defined cultural programme.

"By living with families we can learn much more."

This is the 37th year that Thwaites has provided the scholarships which in the past have allowed enterprising students to travel to countries ranging from Poland to Japan. "Thwaites has generously sponsored the project for so many years," added project manager Margaret Pawson. "It's very commendable that it's something Thwaites believe so strongly in."

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