STUDENTS at a Kidderminster school have been told "auf wiedersehen" before they have even left the country.

Nine students from Harry Cheshire Community High School were due to visit Kidderminster's twin town of Husum this week.

But they were told not to make the return exchange trip because of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

The directive came from the region's Ministry of Education while students from Realschule Husum Nord were visiting the school in March.

The German ministry ruled that no school trips going in or out of France or the UK would be allowed until further notice.

"It's very disappointing," said Pauline Tabberer, head of languages at Harry Cheshire.

"We don't know when the ban will be lifted but we hope it will be soon."

The school hopes to visit its twin school at the end of the school year. It has been carrying out an exchange programme since 1995.

Shame

"It will have to be when there are no exams but it would be a shame if we couldn't go back," said Ms Tabberer.

"You organise these exchanges and usually have no problems.

"The students all get on really well and make lots of new friends.

"When the German students left, they knew they would see them soon, but it will be a little bit longer now."

As well the nine students from years nine to 12, Ms Tabberer takes a handful of sixth-formers from Stourport High School who visit the town on work experience.