This Is Cheshire

EX-PUPIL STEERS CLEAR OF PAKISTAN ON ROUND-THE-WORLD TRIP

From the Guardian Series, first published Thursday 4th Oct 2001.

A FORMER Knutsford High School pupil has been forced to alter his round-the-world trip as the threat of war in the Middle East looms.

Will Spragg, who is currently in Iran, has spent the past week with officials at the British Embassy in the capital Tehran, planning a new - and safer - route to China.

"They've abandoned the plan to go through Pakistan because it is too dangerous and I'm relieved about that," said Will's dad John last week.

The new route will take 21-year-old Will and his three friends through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan - north of Afghanistan. Embassy staff, who had been entertaining Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, squeezed in a crucial meeting to discuss the group's options.

It had been feared they would have to cancel the trip if they could not go through Pakistan where tension is mounting between supporters of the West and Osama Bin Laden's Taliban.

"They are in high spirits again now they know they can continue," said Mr Spragg. "They have to stay in Iran until they get entry visas for the three countries."Will, who hopes to reach Perth in Australia in May, telephoned his dad at home in Springfield Road, Mobberley, on Thursday and said he was impressed by the Iranians' hospitality.

"He said they've been very kind, offering help, cups of tea and one man even invited them to his home for supper," said Mr Spragg.

The delay in Tehran - where a full tank of petrol costs just £1.88 - has also given the group a chance to do their washing.

"They have finally managed to get rid of the dust from their clothes," said Mr Spragg.

mgillies@guardiangrp.co.uk

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