A GROUP of youngsters from the Northallerton area are planning to take the trip of a lifetime this summer.

Along with two youth workers from their local community education service, the eight youngsters will be attending a youth camp in Mongolia.

They have been given the opportunity after successfully bidding for a £4,000 grant from the British Council.

However, competition for places on the trip was stiff from young people in Northallerton.

The chosen team comprises sixth-formers Lisa Bradley, Sam Quinn, Mark Tulip and Ed Shurlock, year 11 students Sammy Baker and Tina Hamnett, and year ten students Raveen Jayasuriya and Caroline Quinn.

Leaving in July they will fly to Beijing and on to Ulan Bator, capital of Mongolia, to stay with families in the city. They will then go on to Blue Sky camp in the wilderness, 110km south of Ulan Bator, to meet and mix with hundreds of other youngsters from around the world.

The group will be led by Emma Casson, environmental youth worker and Keith Best, senior youth worker.

Ms Carson said: "It is just so amazing to have won this bid, the young people are so excited about what they are going to experience. Mongolia is one of the last unspoiled wildernesses on earth and this is a wonderful chance to explore another culture, to evaluate themselves and their own way of life and to open their minds to new concepts."

The youngsters are fundraising to raise the rest of the costs. There will be a stall selling cakes and biscuits at Northallerton Market on Saturday.