A ZAMBIAN village is to be linked up with the Pershore community in a bid to share different cultures.

After a visit from teacher Goodson Mbewe to Pershore High School the town is preparing to become unofficially twinned with Ndola.

Community groups and other schools are also involved in the link, which will see cultural visits and other exchanges.

Annette Williams, the headteacher's secretary at Pershore High School is no stranger to Zambian exchanges - she was involved in the first link set up by Goodson when they were both working at different schools.

"I was involved in the original link between Goodson's last school in Musulira and Ansford Community School in Castle Cary, Somerset," said Mrs Williams.

"I went over to Zambia on a recce six years ago and my two sons both took part in the cultural visits.

"The chairman of the Cary Musulira Community Partnership Trust, Steve Curtis, now lives in Fladbury. Goodson moved schools and wanted to set up a similar link, so he contacted Steve.

"Steve was really shocked to find that the secretary at Ansford is now the head's secretary in Pershore. It was a complete coincidence."

Mr Curtis is now co-ordinating the link, which will involve all the schools in the Pershore High School pyramid, as well as other community groups.

Scouts, Guides, churches, arts centre Number Eight and Paddles - a canoeing club - are all involved in the link.

"You get an awful lot out of it," said Mrs Williams, who is planning a return to Zambia next year.

"We're now into global citizenship and this fits in really well. Goodson is fantastic with kids. He really connects with them and they enjoy his workshops."

Goodson has now returned to Zambia but the first visits are expected to take place within a year.

These will involve teachers from each of the three levels of education in the town and surrounding villages.

Anyone in Pershore who wants to become involved in the partnership can call Mr Curtis on 01386 860432.