Last updated at 15:26, Friday, 22 February 2013

A group of Cumbrian students are heading to France to visit two top agricultural shows.

Back, from left, lecturer Douglas Phillips, Robert Carrick, Tyler Knowles, Harry Ward, Jack Peile and Henry Wainwright; front, from left, Craig Wilkinson, Natalie Errington, Jessica Sewell and Lauren Capstick

In what is a first for Newton Rigg College, the 42 agriculture and engineering students leave Penrith tomorrow to travel to Paris to visit SIMA, the agri-business show.

As well as touring the French capital, the students will then also visit the Paris International Agricultural Show at Versailles.

Douglas Phillips, senior agriculture lecturer at Newton Rigg, said these were the top shows in the world, and it was fortunate that the time frame and location meant the students were able to visit both.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity for our students to see the best and latest in farming, particularly as some are not from farming backgrounds and for others it will be beneficial in terms of personal development.

“They will all, I am sure, benefit from the increased knowledge and the experience generally.”

The students will spend a day touring the city, then attend the SIMA event and the agricultural show the following day.

They leave Cumbria tomorrow and will return on Wednesday.

First published at 15:02, Friday, 22 February 2013
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk