DARWENER Peter Yates has returned home for the first time in 25 years with an Eastern promise - to spread the word of the healing powers of Oriental medicine.

Globetrotting Peter has been studying and teaching the ancient art in Australia, Japan and China since 1976 after breaking into acupuncture - quite literally.

For it was a course of acupuncture after he broke a bone in his leg that first got him hooked on the form of medicine.

The former St Joseph's Primary School pupil said: "I went to Australia and got a job in the construction industry and took up Karate.

"It was during a visit to Japan for my black belt grading I was injured. After being told I would have my leg in plaster for three months I went to see an acupuncturist and within three weeks I was fighting fit and got my black belt.

"At the time I was looking for a purpose in life and then I realised I had found it."

Peter returned to Australia and studied Oriental Medicine at nightschool while he continued his construction job by day. A move to Japan followed where he continued his studies while teaching English to pay his way.

He said: "I have studied for so long that I now have the equivalent of a masters degree and now I am looking to set up a practise here. I have had a few offers and I am very keen to pass on what I have learnt."

Peter has returned with his wife Ma Dong, who he met while living in China, and the couple are expecting their first child in June.

Peter added: "Coming to Darwen from China was a massive cultural shock for Ma Dong and when she first came here she wondered why there were no people. It took a while to explain that Darwen isn't exactly China."

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