INTREPID members of Redditch One World Link (ROWL) will jet off for a three-week visit to the twin town of Mtwara in Tanzania on Sunday.

The exchange trip aims to forge links between schools and churches in the town, which lies on the southern coast of the east African country.

Kevin Ralley will create a link between the Assemblies of God Church in Redditch and the Smirna Pentecost Church in Mtwara. He will also investigate homelessness amongst young people in the town.

Birchensale Middle School headteacher Ingrid Bridgewater will also be developing first-time links with Chuno Primary School.

Speaking before the trip, organiser Jackie Morgan from Cookhill said: "I expect we shall all pay a visit to this school as we have enabled it to receive a grant from the Britain-Tanzania Society of £2,000 and $2,000 from the Friends of Tanzania in America. So we will be interested to find out juts how this money has been put to use."

Other members of the 11-strong group will explore the town, which has been twinned with Redditch since 1986. They will visit a new secondary school in the neighbouring old town of Mikindani and find out about local industry.

"Mtwara is very roud of its links with Redditch and we can be certain we will be well looked after," said Mrs Morgan.

The group will also ave some time for relaxation with trips planned to the Selous game reserve - the largest in Africa. They will then take a light aircraft to the island of Zanzibar, where they will have the chance to explore the coral reef and enjoy the equatorial climate.

The journey will be rounded off with a few days in Tanzania's principal port of Dar es Salaam before flying back to Birmingham.

We are all very excited to be undertaking this journey," added Mrs Morgan.