A GROUP of students from St Joseph's Secondary School will take part in a tourism industry customer service course as part of the Springboard Festival 2005.

The festival is a nationwide celebration of the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industries.

The students will take the Welcome Host course at the Hilton Hotel in Swindon on March 7 and will also be given a guided tour of the hotel.

Julia Drummond, Wiltshire co-ordinator for the Tourism Skills Network, said: "Springboard is a great platform for the Tourism Skills Network to promote the diverse range of career opportunities within the tourism and hospitality industries.

"We are encouraging businesses in Wiltshire to take part in the festival which will showcase the industry."