SPORTY pupils are preparing to swap the green fields of Dorset for the white sands of the West Indies.

The Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester is planning to take a squad of 18 students on a tour of Barbados this October.

As well as going head to head with sides on the island, the boys will visit youngsters at underprivileged schools and provide them with new sports gear.

Now the young cricketers are embarking on a mammoth fundraising effort to fund the once in a lifetime' tour.

Geraint Hughes, head of PE at the school, said: "This will be a real test for these young cricketers, they will have to be at the very top of their game."

The pupils, who will be in the lower Sixth Form at the school when they head off, are the current Dorset county under-15 champions.

The squad came up with the idea of an overseas tour after winning the cup last year.

"We're all looking forward to visiting schools in Barbados and helping build the grass roots of the game," Mr Hughes said. "During the tour the boys will play five matches and spend time with local schools to develop cultural understanding through the game of cricket."

Mr Hughes said the trip would be a little different from the average sports tour.

"What sets the tour aside from others is we'll be visiting underprivileged schools and supplying them with both coaching and cricket equipment," he said.

Pupil Simon Mitchum, the team's opening bowler, said: "I'm really excited about going, it's going to be the trip of a lifetime. It gives us a chance to see some cricket over there, but also to give something back to our sport."

PE teacher and team coach Simon Lane called the trip a fantastic opportunity' for the young cricketers.

He said: "The tour will give them a chance to put something back into a sport that has given them all so much enjoyment."

Mr Lane said events planned to raise cash for the tour ranged from cleaning cars and gardening to an auction of promises and dinner with a guest speaker.

"Obviously there's a great deal of fundraising to be done," he added.

To make a donation to the fundraising effort, contact Mr Hughes at the Thomas Hardye School on 01305 266064.