NINE Indonesian volunteers will be living and working in Blackburn for the next three months, learning about the East Lancashire way of life.

They are part of an international youth exchange programme run by the Voluntary Service Organisation (VSO).

While they are in Blackburn as guests of host families, sampling the delights of Lancashire delicacies like hotpot, fish and chips and black pudding, they will lend a helping hand to charity groups.

Organiser Mark Bosby, 39, of Clarence Street, Blackburn, worked for two years in Indonesia and has been co-ordinating the exchange programme, including nine volunteers from the UK.

"This is an opportunity for the Indonesians to live and work in a way they may never have had the chance to do. Young people will be able to exchange their views and opinions as well as their way of life.

"The volunteer projects will mean them working in the heart of Blackburn to improve the environment, community life or ease the plight of homeless people, which is so worthwhile."

Davina Wallas, organiser of the Wildlife Trust, will be working with two of the volunteers in Blackburn's Queens Park on various environmental projects.

She said: "I am so looking forward to it as it will be great fun. The volunteers will be working with local schools and within the local community to help out with wildlife events.

"We are always looking for more volunteers and this is a great opportunity."

Volunteers will also be involved with the Nightsafe project while they are in Blackburn later in January.

But the volunteers will certainly have a culture shock. Indonesians are gentle people, known for their warm smiles and peaceful aura. The climate is hot and tropical -- an expanse of coastal lowlands.

Mark added: "The Indonesian way of life is based around small villages. I worked with the micro enterprises of fishing and farming to help them make more money.

"They put a great deal of emphasis on harmony and calm. Kelurga Besar means Big Family and that is how they like to live."

The volunteer programme endeavours to create a support network for the visitors when they are in the UK.

Anyone who would like to accommodate the volunteers in their homes, should contact Mark on 0786 6541884.