PUPILS with special educational needs from a school in Edmonton have flown out to Cyprus for an international athletics competition.

The West Lea Special School pupils flew out of Heathrow Airport on Sunday, May 8, destined for special needs school Lefkosa Ozel Egitim Merkezi in northern Cyprus.

They are competing in a three-day athletics event which is organised every year for athletes from Cyprus and Turkey.

This is the first year UK pupils have been invited to attend – ahead of next year's Olympic Games – and the Edmonton school was chosen to be the country's representative.

Councillor Ayfer Orhan, who is in charge of schools and children's services, wished the eight person team success on the trip.

She said: “We are delighted that they are representing, not only Enfield, but also London and the UK in this international event.”

Sue Tripp, headteacher at the school, said the students, who all have learning disabilities, have been training hard in anticipation of the trip, and were boosted by a £5,000 donation from the Royal Small Arms Trust to help fund the visit.

The school, in Haselbury Road, are hoping to develop firm links with Lefkosa Ozel Egitim Merkezi and make the trip an annual event.