A GROUP of pupils are just one step away from the trip of a lifetime after reaching the final of a regional competition.

The Year 8 youngsters from Eastbourne School in Darlington have taken part in the Northumbrian Water Square Mile Project.

The regional competition, which was set up by Durham Agency Against Crime, encourages school children to set up a community project to help others.

More than 100 groups entered the competition and the Eastbourne School team has been selected to take part in the final at Hardwick Hall in Sedgefield on July 17.

Jamie Scaife, Lauren Coglan, Katie Watson, Lisa Jenkinson and Diane Scott make up the Eastbourne team, which has been engaged in projects to help the elderly.

The children have gone into elderly people's homes to help with washing up, cleaning and gardening.

Jon Tait from the school said: "This type of help has given the group real satisfaction and they are committed to carrying on the work of the project long after the competition is finished."

The team will have to do a presentation on their project in front of a group of judges at the final.

The winning team will be jetting off to South Africa while the runners-up will go on an activity holiday in Kielder.