FOUR engineering students from France have travelled to the North-East to learn from some of the region's leading motor industry experts.

The students from Sunderland's twin town Saint-Nazaire are on a three-month engineering visit, which will see them gain experience in vehicle and automotive development, for which Wearside has an international reputation.

Thibaud Chamard and Paul Corne are based at the University of Sunderland's Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Automotive Practice, AMAP, which works at the forefront of traditional and low carbon automotive development.

The students have been working on AMAP's fuel cell powered vehicle project, which develops the electronic communications system of a vehicle to better control the energy flow.

Benjamin Guevel and Gaetan Renault are working at Tacle Seating UK, based in Rainton Bridge, which makes seats for Nissan.

This is the fourth year that Sunderland companies have taken part in the exchange programme for students from Polytech Nantes, and the third year that AMAP and Tacle have been involved.

The project is organised by Sunderland City Council's international team.

The Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Iain Kay, praised the dedication of everyone involved. "We are very proud of our international links, and particularly of our relationship with Saint-Nazaire, which we have been twinned with since 1953. It is very pleasing that we can work together on exchange programmes such as this one, which benefits the students taking part as well as the host companies."

Adrian Morris, programme manager at AMAP, said: "Both Thibaud and Paul have been valuable members of our project team during their time here. We have gained important insight and perspective from them, and they have gathered valuable experience and training from the work they have done.

Jim Casey, Tacle plant manager, said: "We are very pleased to have taken part in this programme for a third year, and to help share our expertise in our field with students from our twin town. We have enjoyed working with Gaetan and Benjamin, and are grateful for their contribution during their time with us."