GAZETTE & HERALD: A group of Corsham teenagers on a month-long trip to India took shelter in a remote village temple when their bus was caught up in demonstrations demanding the release of Indian hostages in Iraq.

Eight Corsham School students, on a voyage with travel group World Challenge, were on their way back to Delhi at the end of a month of trekking as well as community work in a local school when their bus was held up at a roadblock in the village in the Himichal Pradesh region.

The village was home to one of the Indian hostages threatened with execution by Iraqi kidnappers and the bus ground to a halt in the confusion of the demonstration.

Teacher Alistair McLeod, who accompanied the 12-strong party of youngsters, eight of whom came from Corsham School, said they were held up at midnight by a roadblock and remained in the village throughout the night and most of the next day.

"There was certainly confusion, and lots of people hanging around. The kids were able to wander around and bought stuff to eat."

Then the community leaders decided to take care of the party and took them to a temple where they were given generous quantities of rice and dahl to eat.

"We never felt threatened," he said. "The overwhelming feeling was that the vast majority of people wanted our well being."

After an hour or two, the local police arrived and led the party from the temple back to the bus, and sent them on their way back to Delhi.

Parents were informed of the incident by staff at World Challenge's British office.

One parent, Jane Vaughan, said the news was worrying but they heard from the group's leaders that everyone was fine and the group was on the move again.

Despite the 18-hour hold-up the party of youngsters, aged 15 to 17, emerged from their adventure unscathed and in high spirits after the experience of a lifetime.

They took part in a 14-day trek in the Himalayas, supported by a convoy of 21 horses and mules, a guide and cook and various assistants.