SIX teenagers beat their classmates in a series of challenges which won them a trip to the Far East.

The youngsters fly out this weekend for a ten day trip to Singapore, which includes high tea with the country's president.

All aged 15, the pupils are Lucy McPherson and Marc Jackson, of Blackfyne Community School, Consett; Robert Plews and Laura Ellen McGregor of Moorside Community College, near Consett; and Richard Potter and Julie Liddle of Tanfield School, near Stanley.

They competed against fellow students in a series of challenges to win a place at the Sunburst Youth Camp.

The competition was organised by Consett chilled ready meals manufacturer International Cuisine in partnership with its parent company, Singapore Food Industries.

Richard said: "It is going to be great. We get to meet people from other countries and cultures and get to have high tea with the president. We are all really excited."

The winners will meet youngsters from 11 Asian countries at the camp, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand.

Their visit includes trips to the National University of Singapore and the country's Science Centre, plus a night safari during which they will be able to see some of the exotic wildlife.

International Cuisine managing director Bill Connolly said: "We wanted to thank the town for helping us succeed and this trip seemed the ideal way of rewarding the community."