STUDENTS from two nations celebrated 20 years of cultural exchanges with a quintessentially British cream tea.

Budmouth College hosted an afternoon tea party for its German visitors to mark the two decades in which its pupils have been exchanging with students from Weymouth’s twin town of Holzwickede.

Each December around 12 Budmouth language students, aged between 13 and 18, travel to the continent to brush up on their language skills and soak up the culture whilst staying students from the Clara-Schumann Gymnasium.

In return, the German students come and stay with the families of Budmouth students for a two week trip exploring the very best the Jurassic Coast has to offer.

German teacher Simon Lewis, who has been leading the exchange for 15 years, said: “Over the years there have been more than 400 Budmouth children and their families involved.

“The cream tea was about coming together to talk about everyday things and just have fun. It was also an opportunity for staff as well to exchange ideas and talk about similarities and differences in teaching.”

Whilst visiting the county, German students visited Durdle Door, explored Portland Bill and went fossil hunting in Charmouth.

They also visited the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu and spent time relaxing with their British hosts in Weymouth.

Mr Lewis said: “There is time in the programme for students to take part in activities with their own host families. Sometimes they go off to London for the day, or a lot of students go to Splashdown.

“One of the reasons the exchange works so well is because our students go there in December and get to explore the Christmas markets and ice skating, and when the German students come here in the summer they get to explore the Jurassic Coast so it’s a real contrast.”

He added: “It is lovely to see how our staff and students welcome everyone here in a very positive way. We are very passionate and proud of our continual exchanges in these uncertain times; there are not many schools which offer the experience."