THE coach tragedy which touched the hearts of the Farnworth community has forced youth officers to change their plans for a trip to Bolton's German twin town, Paderborn.

Following the coach crash which killed three pupils from St James's School in July, several young women from Farnworth pulled out of the trip they were due to make to Paderborn with the Youth Service.

"Many of those who were due to go on the trip were pupils at St James's and knew the children who were killed," said Silvija Crook, Head of Bolton's Youth Service.

"They felt they couldn't go on a trip by coach following the tragedy and asked that their names be taken off the list.

"The trauma of this tragedy reverberated through the local community as we all know and, bearing in mind the sensitive nature of the incident, we felt it only right to respect the girls' wishes and look at the alternatives."

After investigating alternative methods of transport, the Youth Service managed to secure flights from Manchester to Dusseldorf at an increased total cost of £290.

This week members of the Youth Service Sub Committee approved the additional expenditure.

"Bearing in mind the strength of the pound, the actual increased cost may not be as high as this," said Silvija. "But the committee agreed that this is a highly sensitive area and the feelings of the girls involved in this trip ought to be respected."

The group, which is made up of eight girls aged 15 and 16 and two members of staff, are due to visit Paderborn in February.

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