STUDENTS from Burnley College Sixth Form Centre have returned to their studies after taking a once-in-a-lifetime volunteering trip to Thailand.

The trip, organised by the centre’s extra-curricular volunteering and student services teams and charity Global Vision International, gave students the opportunity to volunteer in marine and coastal teaching conservation projects in Ban Nam Khem and Phang Nga, in South West Thailand.

On arrival, the group explored the village of Bang Nam Khen and the Tsunami Memorial Park to learn about the devastating effects of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami.

They also learnt about the damage plastic litter can have on mangrove and marine environments and to the wildlife that lives there.

The student took care of green turtles and each volunteer had the opportunity to clean and handle them throughout the week, discovering more about their life cycles and the challenges they may face when released into the wild.

Head of student services and volunteering Paul Whittaker said: “Each of the student volunteers who came on this trip was an absolute credit to Burnley College Sixth Form Centre.

“Every day was a day of discovery for everyone and learning new skills and knowledge in conservation and science.”