STUDENTS from around the world are seeking families from Preston and South Ribble to offer them a home for a full school year, starting in the next couple of months.

Foreigners - aged 16 to 18 - are keen to find host families to take part in an exchange programme organised by international student travel group In-STEP.

Over the years, the Preston-based student exchange organisation has helped pave the way for hundreds of foreign students to travel to the UK to learn the language and experience the culture.

This year staff at In-STEP are looking for a place to stay for a handful of students from various countries including Germany and South America.

Mexican student Ana Loaiza-Villegas is one youngster on the organisation's 'wish list'. The 17-year-old is eager to stay with a family in this area.

In Mexico, Ana leads a happy family life with mum Ana Maria and dad Ernesto, a lawyer. She has two younger sisters, Susana, 15, and Andrea, 12.

Spanish-speaking Ana lives on the west coast area, in a city called Mazatlan -- a place the size of Manchester -- and enjoys ballet dancing in her spare time.

Like other students on the programme, Ana is hoping her first trip to the UK will give her the opportunity to improve her English and attend a local high school -- which is organised by staff at In-STEP -- where she will have the chance to mix with British teenagers.

Other students include two 16-year-old German sisters from Dusseldorf and three young men from Mexico.

In-STEP co-ordinator Malcolm Hordern said: "Although we have some excellent families, we need more all over the area. These students are not deprived or in need emotional support, they are happy young people eager to learn more about this country."

E-mail In-STEP at in-step@england.co.uk or call Rebecca, Malcolm or Sue on 626343 for more details.