A COACH party of students from a Bishop Auckland school set off for an action-packed trip to France yesterday.

Bishop Barrington School Sports With Mathematics College has taken 44 year eight students and four members of staff across The Channel as part of the trip.

Pupils will spend time in Montdidier, Paris and Amiens, brushing up on their French and experiencing everyday life in the country.

The week will include a visit to the Asterix amusement park, near Paris, home to Europe's largest wooden rollercoaster.

Students will also visit a French market, where they will be given five euros each to buy food for a picnic.

An afternoon will be spent in Amiens, visiting the famous cathedral, and shopping.

On Friday, the party will pay a visit to Paris, including a boat ride up the River Seine, a sight-seeing tour, and a trip up the Eiffel Tower to get the best view the French capital has to offer.

Modern foreign languages teacher Samira Bouchti, the organiser of the trip, said: "Everyone has a fun time. The students improve their language skills and gain an insight into the French way of life. They also take part in classroom-based activities."