A TRIP to Redditch's twin town of Mtwara in Tanzania has been hailed a success.

Jackie Morgan, of Redditch One World Link (ROWL), said much was achieved during the three-week tour of Tanzania, in Africa, earlier this month.

"We had a fantastic time and everyone in the group worked very well together," said Mrs Morgan, of Cookhill.

The 11-strong group started their journey with a night in the country's principal port of Dar es Salaam before travelling to twin town Mtwara.

Visits were made to many of the town's schools, hospitals and churches and presentations of gifts between ROWL and the Mtwara One World Link were also made.

Group member Kevin Ralley (pictured right) created a link between the Assemblies of God Church in Redditch and the Smirna Pentecost Church in Mtwara.

He also met his former penfriend Soud Ahmed (pictured), who he met through the link between Kingsley College and Saba Saba Day Secondary School in Mtwara.

Soud was sponsored by ROWL through his secondary education.

Birchensale Middle School headteacher Ingrid Bridgewater also developed links with Chuno Primary School.

The group also enjoyed at trip to the Selous game reserve - the largest in Africa - where they came face to face with lions, elephants and giraffe.

In the final week they took a light aircraft to the island of Zanzibar, where they explored the coral reef and local markets. The journey was rounded off with a few days in Dar es Salaam before flying back to Birmingham.