A group of pupils from St Matthew's Academy in Saltcoats have returned from their week-long trip to their sister school in Malawi.

The secondary school has a partnership with St Peter's Secondary in Mzuzu and often participates in school exchange projects.

Making the journey were ten pupils who were selected after being interviewed within the school earlier in the year.

In the last few years, St Matthew's Academy has collaborated with the school to help build a new science block, which was officially opened during the pupil's time in Malawi.

They took part in the school's graduation ceremony, and each pupil held responsibility for uploading to their trip blog once a day.

Fifth year pupil Shannon Fitzsimmons said: "It doesn't feel like we were in Malawi for two weeks, it flew by and I greatly enjoyed the experience.

"Everyone was incredibly friendly and I'm definitely going to miss our buddies.

"It was also good to see what we'd been fundraising for and has made me want to do more to support our partner school."

Jay Anderson, who missed his school prom to go on the trip, said: "I'm absolutely gutted to be leaving. I've met some amazing people and made some amazing memories.

"I'm so happy to have been given this opportunity and meeting the people who are behind the face of our partners and getting to meet the pupils at St Peter's was amazing.

He added: "I felt very proud when we got to see the science lab, two schools coming together for a common goal and all the work that our group has put in during the past 2 years.

"I'd be honoured if I was able to come back one day, this has been an experience I will never forget."