FRIENDSHIP links with the Far East are growing stronger after a visit to the borough from a Chinese party.

Guo Liangxiao, Mayor of the City of Datong, stayed at the Village Hotel and Leisure Club, in Bury, for four days with ten other delegates from where they went on a tour of local schools and the East Lancashire Railway.

Highlights of the trip included a visit to St Monica's RC High School in Prestwich where an agreement was made to send one teacher over to Datong to teach English.

Council Officer Adrian Frost, Partnership and Investment Manager, said: "We are making arrangements for Datong's student teachers to come over to improve their English and develop teaching skills. Although they will be mainly teacher exchanges rather than student exchanges, a Datong student is expected in October to study at Manchester University."

The delegates also spent a day visiting local businesses and showed a special interest at Pilsworth landfill site.

"We did not think it would be any more than a passing visit but it turned out Datong suffers from the same problem as Bury with doorstop recycling. As the city becomes more modernised, the waste problem gets worse, especially with a population reaching three million. I expect we will continue to exchange advice on waste management" said Mr Frost.

After a Mayor's reception at the Town Hall, the trip was rounded off with a ride on the East Lancashire Railway, including the new Heywood extension.

Mr Frost said: "The people of Datong are looking to build a steam railway network but do not want to be seen as adding to the air pollution. The city already struggles with visible smoke pollution and is another hurdle we can help overcome."

The tour follows on from a similar visit from Bury delegates to Datong last August, after the town became Datong's official twin in 2003.

It was the first time Guo Liangxiao, also the Chairman of the Datong Delegation, had visited Bury. The newly-elected mayor is expected to be in power for the next five years and due to return in 2006.

Mr Frost said: "The visit was a great success with a lot to talk about. We will continue to correspond with them via email as there is an eight hour delay between our working day overlapping."