INTREPID pupils at a Bromsgrove school are setting off to Africa for an exchange trip.

Eight students from North Bromsgrove High are off to The Gambia this Friday to learn more about culture and the life of the third world country.

The Gambian link was set up 18 years ago between North and the Armitage Senior Secondary School. Since then there has been a succession of exchange visits between the two schools.

The last trip made by North was for two weeks in February 2004 and the school then hosted a return visit by the Gambians for three weeks at the end of the last summer term.

This year the group will consist of five Year 11 pupils, three sixth formers, teacher Pam Waters, ex-teacher Mike Carrick. who set up the link, and three adult volunteer helpers.

They will be taking a gift from the school of solar-powered calculators, science text books and much needed mosquito nets.

The trip is self-funding and the students recently worked hard to organise a North Bromsgrove band night where eight student bands showed off their talents for a night of entertainment.

The event was attended by about 250 people and raised more than £700 towards the cost of the trip.