FOURTEEN volunteers from Torfaen who went on a 12-day trip to France have said their knowledge and understanding of their European neighbours had increased.

The students, who volunteer with national charity Community Service Volunteers, applied for the free exchange trip to boost their cultural awareness.

Charity CSV organised the trip, which was funded through the European Inter Cultural Digital Dialogue project which brings together young people from across the EU.

The idea of the initiative is for the young people to exchange cultures and break down national stereotypes.

The Torfaen boys joined other volunteers and mingled with young people from France, Germany and Spain in the town of Aspet in the south of France

The volunteers also played sport and took trips to explore the scenery of the nearby area.

Jay Morgan, Jordan Marc Taylor, Rhys Baldwin and Connor Alexander Perry were among those on the trip who took part in the workshops including cooking and language lessons.

Rhys Baldwin , aged 15, said: “This has been an amazing volunteering experience.”