PRIMARY school pupils from across Swindon have been getting a taste of the Orient this week as part of a cultural initiative to teach them about Chinese New Year.

The event is part of a partnership that began in 2009 between Prospect Hospice and the Oriental Aroma Chinese restaurant in Royal Wootton Bassett.

232 children from schools including Brookfield, Millbank and Chiseldon will visit the restaurant, with each one donating five pounds, all the money raised will go to Prospect Hospice.

Owner of Oriental Aroma, James Huynh, said: “In 2009 we took Chinese food to Lyneham Infants’ School but there is a lot more we can do at the restaurant so from the next year we started inviting schools here.

"The kids are fantastic, they’re so well behaved and they have all really enjoyed themselves.”

During their visit, the children get the chance to try the food and learn how to master the art of eating with chopsticks.

They played games based on guessing the animals of the Chinese calendar and they learnt how to fold paper napkins and write short Chinese phrases.

The visits are timed to coincide with the build up to Chinese New Year which takes place on Monday when the calendar moves from the year of the goat to the year of the monkey.

The link between the restaurant and the hospice was strengthened when two of James’ relatives were taken ill and looked after by the staff there.

He explained: “I didn’t really appreciate the level of care they provide, it made me want to support them even more.”

This year Booker Cash and Carry came on-board as partners to make the event possible, donating £400 worth of goodie bag treats for the children to enjoy.

Prospect Hospice is only one of the charitable causes supported by the team at the restaurant, each year they hold several fundraising events and since 2007 they estimate they have raised nearly £40,000 for local causes.

James said: “We do it as a token of appreciation to local people because they all support our business, it’s our way of giving back.”