A WEST Devon school's rugby team has received an exciting invitation to play in Australia, and help is now needed to fund the trip.

The year 10 team at Tavistock College recently returned from a successful tour to Paris coming runners up to an Australian team in the eighth Euro Disney International Rugby Festival.

Lez Deves, who has trained the team for the past four years and is also the senior technician in the DT department, said: 'Loosing narrowly, we received an e-mail from the Australian team on our return, inviting us to play them again, this time in Australia.

'I have approached different tour companies and put a once in a lifetime package together for the team. While out there, I also hope to forge links with a college which would enable students from different departments to travel in the future.'

Mr Deves said he knew it was going to be a costly trip so is appealing to anyone who may be interested to consider sponsoring the tour.

'Any donation, no matter how small, would go a long way in helping the team achieve their goal,' he said.

Anyone who would like to donate can send a cheque made payable to Devon County Council, addressed to either Mr Leves to DT Department, Tavistock College, Crowndale Road, Tavistock, PL19 8DD, or to Mrs S Jerrett, Finance Office at the college address.

For more information contact Mr Leves on 01822 614231 using extension number 243.