FORTY-THREE students from Worcester's Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College have travelled to Malta this half-term holiday to play netball, rugby and football matches against local oppostion.

The tour has been organised since last May, since when each students has been frantically fundraising to make money to pay for tour kit and travel costs.

PE teacher and tour leader Richard Pepperell said: "We have undertaken a number of charity events such as student versus teacher netball matches, sponsored penalty shootouts, sponsored silences, cake sales and charity bag packs.

"We owe a great deal of thanks to Morrison's in Malvern, Marks and Spnecer in Worcester city centre and Sainsbury's in Blackpole for allowing us to come to their superstores to make large amounts of money each time we went.

"We would also like to thank Exel in Droitwich for completely sponsoring the football kit."

Altogether, the tour party managed to raise around £2,500. The school says each pupil is looking forward to challenging sport matches, experiencing playing sport in a different culture and gaining camaraderie and building up sporting links.

Mr Pepperell added: "I'm extremely proud of every pupil going on this trip.

"We have all pitched in to raise a substantial amount of money to spend on kit for the players. We hope to have a good time, meet some new friendly people and, who knows, maybe even pick up some victories."