More than 60 free English courses have been offered to victims of the Italian earthquake by English UK member schools.

Almost 300 people died in the earthquake in April and thousands were left homeless. Many are still living in tents in the Abruzzo region.

The Italian Embassy in London asked English UK member schools if they could offer free places to young people affected by the disaster. So many free courses have now been offered that the appeal has been closed.

"British people have been very generous," said Giuseppe Berlendi of the Italian Embassy. He said the Ambassador would be thanking the schools personally.

Eight of the schools have also offered accommodation to students. The others will stay with Italian families living in the UK who have offered to help.

Susan Young - susan@englishuk.com