AMY'S parents Derek and Claire Ransom became involved in preparing for their daughter's trip by attending meetings at school and meeting the army officer in charge of the expedition.

Derek says: "He was very professional about everything."

He told them the youngsters would be expected to look after themselves and buy their own food in local markets and learn about the culture at first hand.

But the leader also assured them he would be there to make sure they got plenty to eat.

World Challenge Expeditions, based in North Acton, West London, was established 13 years ago by executive chairman Charles Rigby.

The company works predominantly through schools and the expeditions are always led by a World Challenge Expeditions qualified leader, supported by at least one adult, usually a teacher from the school. Participants are involved fully in the planning while on preparatory training, plus briefings on local customs.

World Challenge Expeditions says it is determined to learn all possible lessons from this tragic, but fortunately rare, accident.