A HOUSEWIFE from Hatfield has made a trip to Downing Street to present Prime Minister Gordon Brown with a petition.

Bell Bar B&B owner Trina Golland presented the petition on behalf of the voluntary organisation HOST, which arranges for international students in the UK to stay with British residents.

Trina, who regularly takes non-paying international guests for a weekend at Christmas, presented the petition at Downing Street requesting the Government to reinstate the funding which is about to be withdrawn from the charity.

"A HOST visit can make a big difference to a student's attitude to this country," said Trina.

"There are well over 2,000 signatures from students past and present who have benefited from the scheme, from many volunteer hosts who enjoy welcoming these occasional guests and from university vice-chancellors, international officers, MPs and members of the Upper House.

"Libby Purves, the broadcaster, has signed, as has the Dalai Lama."

For more information about HOST visit: www.hostuk.org