A WEEK'S hard work in India, followed by the chance to see the country on foot, awaits two sixth form students from Kirkby Stephen Grammar School.

Lisa Shaw and Eleanor Ockenden, have been given the opportunity to work and travel in Ladakh this summer, with the Brathay Exploration Group.

Ladakh 2007 will be Brathay's fifth in a series of expeditions to mountainous areas of the Indian sub-continent, and the girls will be based in the north-western state of Himachal Pradesh, with its diverse landscape of lush alpine meadows, forests, snow-capped peaks and barren desert.

Their mission will be to help develop a school in Ladakh for a week. The children are struggling to be accommodated as their numbers are rapidly growing. Lisa and Eleanor are to help build an extension, and are also looking forward to helping teach the students and give them support in their education.

Afterwards, there is the opportunity to trek in the Himalayan mountains.

Lisa said: "It will be a life-changing experience for us, with the opportunity to make some great friends, and really contribute to the community where the school is situated."

Fund-raising events are planned as the trip will cost more than £1,600 each, so the girls are organising a sponsored bike ride, a quiz, cake-making, bingo and a fun day.