JET-SETTING students have been flying the flag for Ringwood and Fordingbridge, and the local Lions Club.

The eight students, Charlotte Boyd, Scarlett Smith, James Hiles, Callum Salisbury, Andrew Goldsmith, William Futcher, James Twomey and Gina Robinson were selected by Ringwood and Fordingbridge Lions Club to become this year’s international young ambassadors at international youth camps organised by Lions around the world.

They each travelled to different destinations including Hawaii, Finland, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Canada and Israel.

Club members were able to wish them bon voyage at it’s annual barbeque at the beginning of July.

Each student will experience the trip of a lifetime spending part of their time, up to three weeks, with students their own age from countries around the world at an International Youth Camp run by Lions Clubs in that country and spending up to a further two weeks staying with a host family to find out what it is like to live there.

Once at their destination the food, travel, and accommodation will be paid for by the Lions Clubs.

A spokesman for the club said: "One of the principle aims of Lions Clubs International is to create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world. This is in part achieved through supporting local applications for their Youth Camp and Exchange Program which has been in operation since 1961."

Anyone interested in this program for 2016 or any other of the many service projects being undertaken by Ringwood and Fordingbridge Lions Club is asked to call 0845 833 5819 or go to randflions.org.uk

The closing date for applications for next year's programme is September 30. It is open to anyone resident in Ringwood and/or Fordingbridge who will be aged between 17 and 21 by July 2016.