STUDENTS from Europe and South America are about to converge on North Yorkshire for a major environmental study.

English hosts will welcome young people to their homes in Ryedale, from Romania, Italy, Spain, Germany and possibly, Argentina.

The ten-day stay begins tomorrow and is one of 20 such exercises taking place in the UK this year, and the only one in this region.

The aim is to develop relationships which began in Spain last year. The youngsters will look at environmental issues in Europe and the rest of the world.

From their base at the Emmaus Centre in Brompton, near Scarborough, the group will take part in a range of activities in the county.

At Whitby, they will study the decline of the fishing fleet and visit events arranged by the National Trust and Friends of the Earth.

They will spend time at the Egton Show, travel on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and visit farm diversification schemes.

The district manager of the county's education service in Ryedale, Adrian Wilford, said: "Almost 50 young people and staff have put in a tremendous amount of work to make this all possible.

"This exchange visit will help us to develop those relationships.

"We hope this will teach us a lot about how different countries are reacting to environmental issues which affect us all."