A LYTHAM school is all set to welcome a newly-appointed ambassador on an official visit after forging strong links with a Czech school.

Dr Pavel Seifter, ambassador of the Czech Republic, will attend King Edward VII School's annual Founder's Day next Thursday, June 25, to present prizes and speak to more than 500 students, staff and parents.

Headmaster Julian Wilde has built up a good relationship with Nemcove School in the Bohemian city of Hradec Kralove, which lies 60 miles east of Prague.

He said: "We have enjoyed two very successful visits to Hradec with our artists and musicians and in the Autumn, six of our leading scientists will be attending a seminar there.

"Dr Seifter has an international reputation and outlook and it will be a great occasion for all of us at King Edward's."

Dr Seifter was educated at Charles University in Prague and the University of Nancy in France.

He was forced out of his lecturer's post in Prague by the Soviet invasion of 1968 and had to work as a window cleaner for the best part of 20 years.

A close friend of Czech president Vaclav Havel, Dr Seifter was director of the foreign policy department for four years before he was appointed his country's ambassador in London.

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