JAPANESE students learnt about Worcester’s history when they visited the Guildhall as part of a cultural visit to the city.

A group of students from Rikkyo University, Tokyo, came to Worcester to stage a Christian concert at St Martin’s Church in London Road. Forty of them impressed the congregation by performing a series of spirituals – songs created by enslaved African people in the United States.

During the trip they also toured the Guildhall and spent time with the Mayor of Worcester Councillor Roger Berry. He said: “They were an extremely impressive group and it was a pleasure to have them in Worcester.

“Obviously, they were very interested in the city’s history and the high spot of their trip was the musical renditions.”