COMPLETING a Duke of Edinburgh Award can often mean expeditions in the rain or helping in the community but for some Year Nine students at Ashton on Mersey School the tasks are far more appealing.

That's because a group of youngsters from the Sale school are preparing for a trip to South East Asia as part of a unique exchange scheme.

Ten lucky pupils will fly to Malaysia in July to help organise a festival of sport as part of their award.

The project, called 'Dreams and Teams', encourages leadership skills in young people, and those taking part will organise the festival, to be attended by 15-20 Malaysian primary schools.

Head teacher of Ashton on Mersey School Sports College, Tarun Kapur, believes the scheme, which was set up in conjunction with the British Council, will prove to be an invaluable experience for pupils.

He said: "I think it is a fantastic opportunity for the young people in the school as it allows them to develop leadership skills.

"It will provide good role models for future generations and everyone here is very excited."

In June, 10 Malaysian youngsters will visit Ashton on Mersey School to attend a meeting about the 'Dreams and Teams' project.

They will then play host to youngsters from Sale in return when they travel east.

The exchange initiative came about after the school's PE teacher John Stephenson visited Malaysia to train young leaders.

On his return email links were set up and the school hope that this will be the start of a permanent links between the schools.

The specialist sports college, sponsored by Manchester United and Nike, already has links with a school in Gothenburg, Sweden.

In May head teacher Tarun Kapur will also get the opportunity to visit Malaysia, with a representative from Manchester United, to meet with the Regent of Perlis, son of the Sultan of Perlis, and the Chief Minister of State to discuss further links with a school for talented footballers in Malaysia.

He said: "We are always try to encourage people from other cultures to become involved in the school."