A JAPANESE exchange project which is celebrating its 21st anniversary could be at risk of closure after insurance costs rocketed.

The Bridport project was founded by Arthur Woodgate in 1996 after he travelled to Japan as part of a British delegation of youth workers from Dorset, Devon and Glasgow. The visit was organised by the British Council in the hope of stimulating cultural and social exchanges between young people of both countries. Only the Bridport exchange managed to deliver the desired result, linking up with the the Koyamadai Educational Foundation of Tokyo.

With just three weeks until its Japanese partners arrive, the organising group, Bridport Young Persons Action Trust (BYPAT), has learned that the necessary insurance will now cost £3,000 instead of £850.

Mr Woodgate said: "There was no warning of this and precious little information has been made available to us.

"We now understand that the premium has been influenced by problems of safeguarding experienced by other organisations, and because insurance companies in general have lost their appetite for projects involving foreign travel.”

All funding has been raised by the members and their families in various ways, including running the coconut shy at Bridport Food Festival and face painting at last year's Bridport Christmas Cheer.

Mr Woodgate added: “Fundraising has gone extremely well but this insurance increase would simply wipe out our hosting budget.”

With three weeks to go, organisers are faced with either raising an additional £2,000 for insurance, or having to tell their partners that their exchange is over before it has ever begun.

In the 21 years of the project's history, more than 100 local young people have enjoyed the experience.

Former member, Katherine Crabb, said: “I had an absolutely amazing time.

"It is an experience that not many people ever get because living with a family, and making a friend that's on the other side of the world and having them show you their culture and way of life is completely different from just being a tourist and staying in hotels.

"It was a huge learning experience both about myself, and ability to cope in different situations and environments as well as about what else is out there in the world.”

If you would like to help the project, please email a.c.woodgate@btinternet.com