A TEAM of adventurous professionals from Bury have jetted out to Tasmania for a busman's holiday.

The group, sponsored by Rotary clubs from across the North West, are gleaning an insight into how organisations go about their business Down Under and will apply the valuable lessons on their return home.

Accountant Stuart Leech (31), of Hazel Grove, Radcliffe, and training placement worker Jane Higham (28), of Church Street, Ainsworth are part of the five-strong delegation led by Tottington councillor David Higgin.

The members, who flew out last Saturday (Feb10), are visiting workplaces similar to their own across the island, and will give talks on life in the North West. Before the trip, Councillor Higgin said: "People who have been on these trips never fail to extol their virtues when they get back.

"They give members of the team an enormous opportunity to better their own employment position and benefit the companies they work for."

The party will stay with 14 different host families throughout the six-week trip, adding a valuable cultural dimension. On their return to Bury, Jane and Stuart will discuss what they have learnt with Rotary Clubs and colleagues.

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Prestwich and Whitefield, Jane, who works for training company BCE Mesnes at Bury College, said: "I'm very much looking forward to it, but just hope that everything goes smoothly. It is going to be very hard work.

"I hope to gain more confidence in myself and what I do through these presentations and meeting new people."

Stuart, who works for the Bury accountants Neal Frain and is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bolton-le-Moors, said: "What appealed about it was the opportunity to travel and experience another culture.

"Although there will be some sightseeing it is not a holiday as such."

And the trip will be a welcome break from town hall business for Coun Higgin, who plans to learn lessons about the way local government is conducted in Australia.

He added: "On the basis that a change is as good as a rest, I hope that it will be a rest as well, but there's not a lot of that built into the schedule."