I AM hoping to find more friendly, hospitable people to join a local network of volunteer hosts offering invitations to international students.

At present there are 37 of us in the Swindon area, each offering one or two invitations a year, to a variety of appreciative and interesting guests from overseas currently studying at universities and colleges in the UK.

Many students hope to make contact with the people and culture of this country, yet find it impossible to gain access to our way of life.

Christmas and New Year can be especially difficult times, when the university is almost empty.

Invitations are arranged through HOST, which is a well-established national charity that is backed by the British Council and by the Foreign Office.

I would be pleased to send an information pack to anyone interested in this worthwhile scheme.

Contact me on pmanook@hotmail.com.

ISOBEL MANOOK

Voluntary Regional Organiser HOST

Yarmouth Close

Swindon