At the beginning of the month, ten children from Eastwood Junior School, one member of staff and two parents visited Poraj in the Myskow area of Poland, which is twinned with Broxtowe Borough Council.

For many of the nine to 11 year-olds it was their first time away from home, first visit to a foreign country and first flight.

Yet they took full advantage of the opportunity on trips to a silver mine and water park, meeting the Mayor of Myskow, a salt mine and the city of Krakow and even the cathedral of Pope John Paul II.

They were also taken on a series of local activities with their Polish host families, months after they carried out similar duties for 11 students and three staff from a twinned school.

Rachel Crowther of Eastwood Junior School, on Devonshire Drive, said: "It was a fantastic experience for all children and adults involved and hopefully the beginning of a long lasting co-operation between the schools."