STUDENTS from an east Cleveland college have completed a successful exchange visit with its twin college in the US.

The main reason for the visit was to allow the youngsters from Redcar and Cleveland College to study for a City and Guilds certificate in robotics at the Cleveland State Community College's well-equipped laboratories and classrooms in Tennessee.

The students sampled US family life at first hand, as they stayed with local families. They also visited a Coca-Cola bottling plant, which was a useful link with their course.

On their trip they visited the Olympic white water course in Atlanta and sampled some real country music at the Mountain Opry, in Chattsnooga.

The course ended with a hike and an overnight stay in a log cabin in the wilds of the Cumberland Plateau.

The students also took a plaque to commemorate five years of a successful partnership with the American college.

Tutor Neil Walker said: "Once again, our students gained a great deal from the American experience, not only in the education field but also socially and culturally."

"Each reached the desired standard for City and Guilds and received a Cleveland State certificate of achievement which was presented to them by Dr Carl Hite, president of the college."