PUPILS from Ebbw Vale are hoping to trek through the mountains of Morocco this July.

Members of the Sixth Form in Ebbw Vale Comprehensive School are appealing for sponsorship for their expedition to the Atlas Mountains.

They will trek through the mountains to a remote Berber village where they will stay and get to know and work with the local community.

On the £8,500 expedition the pupils will experience first hand other cultures and customs, a world away from their lives in Blaenau Gwent.

Some will also use this experience towards gaining their Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award.

Teacher Dave Manning said: "Additionally and perhaps very importantly, is the fact that the Berber tribes are predominately of the Muslim faith and it is hoped that this involvement would give our young people a greater understanding and empathy towards those of other faiths and customs.

"The Berber communities in this part of Africa are extremely poor with some villages only accessible during the summer months some do not even have electricity yet."

The trek will be a personal challenge for most of the students. While in the village they will help build a hostel, teach English to both children and adults organise sporting and cultural exchanges, help with the harvest and other community-based work.

Pupils have raised around £5,000 so far by holding fundraising events and the local crime prevention panel have made a £250 donation.

Anyone who wants to sponsor the trip can contact Mr Manning at the school on (01495) 303409.