STUDENTS at Applemore College focused on global issues for a day of workshops and lectures.

More than 160 students from Year 9 at the technology college near Hythe took part in the annual Global Development Day to learn more about how poverty and dependence affects many countries in the Third World.

Highlight of the day was a live video-conference between Applemore students and those at a school in Johannesburg, South Africa.

International charity representatives also attended to explain how their projects were helping poorer countries to attain better living standards. The students also had the chance to test and buy Fairtrade products like coffee, nuts and chocolate which have been grown and traded for a fair price.

Geography teacher Paul Wabe said his students now had a better understanding of life in other countries.