A GROUP of students has returned to Darlington from France after five days living with local families.

The thirty-four students on the A level French course at Darlington's Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College (QE) spent their time in and around the northern city of Lille.

Student Eliza Foster said: "Staying with real French people is the best way to improve and the few days we spent there helped loads with my French."

As well as spending time in Lille, the students visited the cities of Bruges and Arras.

They also toured the battlefields of the Somme and visited the Vimy Ridge memorial.

Student, Matthew Johnson said: "It was, without a shadow of a doubt, the best trip ever."

Trip leader and director of languages at QE, Louise Nicholson said: "Our students were described by the French as 'extraordinaire' - and they were indeed.

"They all made a real effort to communicate and enjoyed their experiences. "They were really good company and superb ambassadors for QE.

"I am very proud of them."