JAPANESE women from the Honda factory brought a flavour of Japan to a Swindon school.

Liden Primary School organised the visit after a week of Japanese-based work they had undertaken at the start of term.

The three-day event was brought about through the efforts of co-ordinator of modern foreign languages and international dimension, Heather Hunt, and arts co-ordinator, Natalie Myatt, both teachers at the school.

Miss Hunt said: "They came along to give us a more realistic picture of Japan - to put the whole world of Japan in a real context.

"We heard that the Honda ladies had been to the school before so we contacted them through the Honda factory."

The Japanese Culture Ladies were originally the wives of Japanese Honda employees but now they include a wider range of Japanese women.

They have offered all their services for free.

The event involved a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, practice with chopsticks, Japanese calligraphy with traditional ink and pens and Japanese games.

Miss Hunt also said she thought it was also important for the women because it allowed them to raise awareness of their culture.

"It makes us more aware that this culture exists in Swindon, which I think is really good for the kids," she added.

The day is part of the school's attempt to gain an international school award. The school has already achieved the intermediate award, but is hoping this year to be awarded the gold and this is one of the ways they hope to achieve that status.