SCHOOL pupils from South Ribble hoping to take part in the council's Youth Exchange Programme (YEP) have had their hopes dashed due to the foot and mouth crisis.
Dozens of teenagers from schools across the borough were expecting to welcome German schoolchildren into their homes this week as part of the YEP initiative organised with officials in Leyland's twin-town Schleswig, in Germany.
But, in a bid to prevent the spread of foot and mouth in their country, the German authorities have pulled the plug on the trip and called a halt to the students' UK visit.
It comes after fears from German farmers about the possible threat of spreading the disease which has gripped much of the farming community in this country.
Now the German authorities have backed the country's farmers by stopping the visit until the crisis is over.
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