A MEETING of cultures took place yesterday as Bury welcomed pupils and teachers from China for a bond-building visit.

The guests from the northern Chinese city of Datong received a civic reception at Bury Town Hall where they were greeted by pupils from three of the borough's primary schools ­— Christ Church, Walshaw; St John's, Radcliffe; and St Mary's, Prestwich.

Organised as a reciprocal visit, the sojourn follows a trip to Datong made by Bury headteachers last October to develop links with Chinese schools.

While in Datong the party were greeted by the city's education department and mayor, who presented a painting of a restored section of the Great Wall near to the city as a civic gift to Bury's own mayor, Councillor Jane Black.

Cllr Black said: “Many Chinese families live in Bury and across Greater Manchester, and have contributed to the prosperity of this town and our region. We were very pleased to welcome pupils and their teachers to spend a week learning in Bury schools and visiting the region. I hope this will create lasting friendships for many years to come.

“I also visited Phillips High School, my old school, to meet Chinese high school students who were based there for the week. A group from Phillips will be visiting China in 2020.”