EAST Lancashire has become the latest stopping off point for students from the Far East who want to get to grips with literature classics.

Groups are being shown Stoneyhurst College, where JRR Tolkien wrote part of the Lord of the Rings, and Pendle Hill because of its association with the Pendle Witches - whose story eerily echoes the witch trials in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible.

The latest 50-strong party, from Singapore, fitted in their tours between visiting Lake Dristict, home of Williams Wordsworth, and Haworth, where the Bronte sisters lived. Others have gone on to visit Stratford upon Avon, where William Shakespeare was born Tour guide Angela Cheong, said it was the sixth time this year groups from China and Singapore had stopped off in Lancashire and the visits were always popular.

She said: “Earlier in the week we have been to The Lakes, with strong links to Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter and Haworth, home of the Brontes.

“When we arrived in Clitheroe we looked round the castle and visited Stoneyhurst College where JRR Tolkien wrote some of the Lord of the Rings.

“The stories of the Pendle Witches are always of interest to our students as well and they are studying witch trials from the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller.

“It all helps their understanding and a short walk on Pendle Hill worked up an appetite.”

Angela said she planned further tours to the area, which always culminate with a traditional English meal at the Swan and Royal in Clitheroe.

Students on the tour said they found the visit enjoyable and a contrast to their life back home.

Sabrina Chua, 15, said she was even enjoying the bracing winter weather.

“It’s always hot and humid in Singapore, this is honestly a nice change and everywhere we have visited is interesting.”

Rachel Wee, 16, had gained inspiration from another part of the tour.

“I want to be a chef and the food’s been great. I’m going to try and cook steak and even fish and chips like it is here.”

The group’s local tour is guided by Clitheroe-based historian Simon Entwistle.

He said: “There is so much enthusiasm from all the groups and I certainly think they help put the area on the tourism map.”