TWO Beaconsfield school girls got the chance to take part in an international conference with guests including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Bob Geldof.

Lauren Sebley and Maddy Soper, sixth formers at Beaconsfield High School, joined about 700 young people from more than 100 countries for the One Young World summit, which was held in London recently.

The summit discussed key global issues such as the power of the media, the future of the global economy, interfaith dialogue and climate change.

Other speakers and guests included former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan and AC Milan footballer Clarence Seedorf.

Participants had to raise 3,000 euros through corporate sponsorship to attend the event but Lauren was offered two places as her mother, June Sebley, was involved in the initial stages of the project.

Lauren, 17, who lives in Hazlemere, said: “It was absolutely amazing – there were so many inspirational people there.”

Maddy 17, from Beaconsfield, said she had a conversation with Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf and a girl from Malaysia about building playgrounds in third world countries.

She hopes to travel to Malaysia during a 'gap year' to help with the project.