A CULCHETH teenager has described a Girlguiding trip to The Gambia as an experience she will always treasure.

Rose Byrne, from 7th Culcheth Senior Section, joined 28 other Guides on the adventure.

The 16-year-old ran sessions on advocacy, the UN rights of a child, water sanitation and backwards cooking.

But locals also immersed Rose in their culture with guided tours of the fishing village, nature reserve and markets.

She was also treated to performances from bands, drummers and dancers.

Rose, a Loreto College student, said: “We were made to feel like guests of honour as they showed us their village and way of life.

“It made me realise how grateful I ought to be and mostly it made me value my Girlguiding membership when I saw how important it was to the girls in The Gambia.

“At the end of the second day we were invited back to join in their campfire.

“It was incredibly joyful and entertaining and like nothing we’d seen before. My trip to The Gambia was invaluable and one I’ll always treasure.”