Terrorist fear forces French students to cancel visit

The main reason is said to be fear of a terrorist attack. Language school coordinators - part of a 1 million local industry - have also suggested there could be a fear of retaliation against the French political stance on war.

Rose Edwards, of Egerton Road, has had two French groups cancel due to the terrorist risk.

"I had a couple of groups in May who have decided to cancel. I think it is reports of terrorism in the papers that have put them off.

"They said that with the children being so young and reports saying a terrorist strike is imminent, they would not be travelling."

Rose thinks if an attack took place, many more groups would cancel.

With each of her groups consisting of about 45 students, the predicted record-breaking year for foreign students visiting Bexhill looks unlikely.

Already students have pulled out of trips to the capital. "I had a group of older students (18+) who decided not to go to London. I have another group due to go to London this week but they could change their minds."

Sue Seymour, local organiser for Europartners Language School for German students, Station Road, has had no cancellations. She said: "I think from the French point of view, it is their political situation in the war that has made them cancel. They are afraid of retaliation."

Europartners are taking their own precautions to ensure peace of mind for students and families.

The group feels it could suffer some cancellations, as German students did cancel trips during the foot and mouth outbreak and beef scares.

"We have got record numbers this year for short stays and long stays.

"But we had one group who went home on Saturday. The leaders had reassured the families that if war broke out, they wouldn't go to London.

"That was because of anti-war demonstrations as much as anything else."