FIRST year students from Reaseheath College’s countryside department are to join environmental projects abroad as part of their summer training.

Pupils studying for their Level 3 Diploma in Conservation and Wildlife Management at will travel as far as Iceland and the Czech Republic as part of the scheme.

They won the opportunity after successfully applying to Grampus Heritage and Training Ltd, a non-profit making organisation which aims to give UK students and young workers the management experience and practical skills required by the environmental industry.

Richard Laurence, 27, from Nantwich, will join Hylates Limited, an eco-tourism company which is developing environmentally friendly facilities for visitors in Cyprus.

Richard, who hopes to set up his own environmental business, said: “This is a brilliant placement where we will be using local materials and methods to aid public access to heritage sites.

“I’m looking forward to it very much. It’ll give me valuable experience and some real skills which I can use to take my career forward.”