PRIZEWINNING college students from North Yorkshire have just returned from a three-day fact-finding visit to Brussels.

A tour of the Belgian capital was their prize in the Institute of Directors' 2000 Export Award Scheme for students from schools, colleges and universities in the region.

Kirsty Fisher, who is taking her Higher National Diploma in business studies at York College, won the trip for her report on the East Yorkshire exporting firm, JSR Healthbred, which specialises in pig genetics.

She was joined by three other winners - Lisa Hirst, Anna Keenlyside and Cathy Beveridge, all 17-year-olds studying economics at Ashville College, Harrogate, who reported on the export efforts of CIBA Speciality Chemicals, of Bradford.

All were escorted by Stan Hardy, Yorkshire regional chairman of the Institute of Directors, Di Burton, chairman of the award scheme, and Bryn Tennant, one of the sponsors.

This is the fifth year of the scheme and sponsors included Yorkshire Bank, Premier Hazard plc, Leeds Training and Enterprise Council and Yorkshire Forward.

During their Brussels visits the prizewinners toured the European Parliament and Commission, the British Embassy, the Brussels Chamber of Commerce and law firm Hammond Suddards who hosted receptions for them and explained their work in Europe.

PICTURE: EXPORTING SMILES: Student Kirsty Fisher, of York College, is greeted by Stan Hardy, Yorkshire regional chairman of the Institute of Directors, outside the Atomium, in Brussels