FAMILIES who open up their homes to schoolchildren from Romania have been hailed 'life-savers' by organisers of the trip.

After a fortnight's stay in the UK, members of the 42-strong Friends of Music Romanian choir said their final farewell to the country today (Thursday) before heading off on a three-day boat trip home.

During their visit the teenage choir have maintained a hectic schedule performing to audiences up and down the country.

Schools

They have performed in eight local churches and schools as well as Blackpool Tower Ballroom, Whalley Abbey and Liverpool Football club.

But the choir's visit to Lancashire would not have been possible without the help of caring host families in Leyland and the Chorley area.

In all, 27 families welcomed the youngsters into their homes and offered them a taste of British culture with trips to local tourist attractions during the youngsters' free-time.

Leyland couple Sandra and Mick Sharples, of Westmorland Close, had no hesitation inviting two 13-year-old members of the choir into their home.

Despite having four children of their own, aged six to 13, the caring couple welcomed Eve Akhras and Andrea Zuld from Bacau, near Moldavia, into their three-bedroomed family home.

Part-time shop assistant Sandra said: "Obviously the girls needed a place to stay and I was happy to help out.

"I thought it would be a good idea to have the girls to stay so my children could understand about other cultures and how children in different countries live.

"All of us have really enjoyed having them. Both girls were well behaved and very polite. We'll certainly keep in touch with them."

During their stay with the Sharples both girls enjoyed a trip to Camelot Theme Park as well as watching British television programmes and western-films such as Stuart Little.

And while they both enjoyed home-made chips, the girls gave a big thumbs down to good ol' British bangers.

Before leaving on their trip back home Kwik Save supermarket assistant manager Mick gave the girls a 'bon voyage' card from the family which he wrote in Romanian after researching the former Eastern-bloc country on the Internet.

Organiser of the event Reverend Thomas Finch said: "The choir's visit has been a great success and we are grateful to the help of all the hosts because without them this trip would not have been possible."