FIVE people swore allegiance to Britain in Worcestershire's first citizenship ceremony.

The event, was hosted by Councillor Derek Prodger, chairman of Worcestershire County Council and held at County Hall.

The ceremony was held in private at the request of the new British citizens, who came from Bromsgrove, Kidderminster, and Redditch.

It was held by Worcestershire County Council on behalf of the Home Office.

The new British citizens, who were all presented with a British citizen's certificate had asked for no publicity.

However, Dr Narayan Aryal spoke to the Evening News after the ceremony.

"It's a great feeling to be one of the first five," Dr Narayan said.

"I feel fully integrated, though it's up to the individual how they feel integrated."

Dr Aryal, aged 46, was born in Nepal, and studied to be a doctor in India.

He came to Sunderland in 1993 for higher training, and obtained a post graduate qualification for an overseas doctor.

He has been working as a doctor near Kidderminster for six years.

"England is the best place to live and work," said Dr Aryal, from Kidderminster.

"This is a good country.

"There are problems, such as the cold being terrible, compared with Nepal which was a tropical climate, rain and heat."

The citizens yesterday swore allegiance to the Queen and pledged loyalty to the United Kingdom.