Agriculture students visited France to learn about the French way of farming.

The group from Abingdon and Witney College visited France to do a practical study tour.

The trip was organised by the college to provide students studying for the National Certificate of Agriculture course a unique training opportunity to view different methods of farming.

The French tour is designed to teach students about the reality of farming through participation.

The group visited Tim Green's farm in Vimer, Normandy.

Mr Green is a correspondent for Farmers Weekly Magazine.

James Shayler, 18, from Charlbury, who went on the tour, said: "Our trip to France was a great experience.

"It gave us all the chance to see farming methods put into practice within a different country but it did make us realise how similar the French farming is to the British.

"The trip gave us great first-hand experience of farming."

Despite a sharp drop in demand for agricultural training around the country, Abingdon and Witney College has bucked the trend with student numbers on the increase.

The college offers a range of land based courses from animal care to horticulture.

John Bosley, an agricultural lecturer at the college, said: "We feel that this visit to France gave the students an opportunity to see for themselves the similarities and differences between British and French farming practices.

"Taking the students into a real farming environment within Europe opened their eyes to the fact that British farmers are now part of Europe and have to compete as such.

"We felt the students gained much more first-hand knowledge than if they had been taught the same information back in the classroom."

The college's National Certificate of Agriculture offers a broad range of disciplines from computer skills to law, while encompassing a very strong practical element.