Eight members of the Interju team from Ratingen and Solingen in Germany met their south east Northumberland counterparts and visited various youth projects during their three-day trip.

The visit aimed to strengthen the relationship between workers, share ideas and exchange skills on a range of topics.

The tri-national exchange will take place in mid-July at Gelsenkirchen, Germany, with 12 young people from the borough joining 38 youngsters from Solingen and Ratingen, and France.

The action-packed week aims to develop friendships and an understanding of cultural differences between the young people.

Blyth Valley Borough Council's community development officer Ann Dobson, who is managing the exchange project, said: "Because of the strong partnership working between the agencies and Blyth Valley Borough Council the project has gone from strength to strength."

"April's visit was a great success and we are looking forward to the tri-national exchange in July."

During their trip, German youth workers visited the Isabella Centre, The Point, Silx Teen Bar and the Stonham Housing project for homeless young people.