WORKERS at the Warrington Project in Northern Ireland have expressed their disappointment this week after the foot-and-mouth outbreak, which has devastated the countryside, led to the cancellation of an exchange trip.

Youngsters from Derry and County Meath were due to meet up with pupils from St Oswald's and Barrow Hall Primary School where Tim Parry, who died after the Bridge Street Bombing, was a pupil.

The youngsters, who have been pen-pals, were due to take part in workshops to help them learn more about each other's communities.

But because some of the youngsters live in the countryside close to a foot-and-mouth outbreak, they are not allowed to travel.

Shuan Cullen, co-ordinator at the Northern Ireland branch, said: "It's really awful and we don't know how long it's going to go on for.

"We will keep our fingers crossed the groups which are due to visit at the end of the month can come."