STUDENTS who have returned to North Yorkshire from southern Africa are hoping to share their experiences with Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Eight students, aged 16 to 18, visited Likhubula in Malawi for three weeks to help renovate a youth centre and orphanage.

Now the students, from Northallerton College and Thirsk and Easingwold Schools, want to discuss their experiences with Mr Blair - who this year is presiding over the G8 countries and who has stated that Africa and climate change are among his prime concerns.

The college's lifelong learning manager, Judith Aird, arranged the trip for the party of young Millennium Volunteers with the support of the charity World Exchange.

She also recently attended a briefing with the Prime Minister and members of a number of non-governmental organisations, on behalf of World Exchange.

"I saw a huge change in the students as a result of their trip. The area is unbelievably poor and the students worked hard renovating and decorating," she said.

"The beauty of the country and the open friendliness and generosity of the people stuck in all our minds. They gave us friendship and food and the students soon lost their fear of the unknown.

"They experienced such a lot they would never come across living in North Yorkshire and they all claim to have been deeply affected by the experience."

Dr Aird added: "I would very much like the students to be involved in the current debate on Africa, which is why I am asking Mr Blair to find time to talk to them."