A JAPANESE Taiko drummer visited a Stourport for a special two-day event.

Renowned teacher, James Barrow, from Taiko West, in Shrewsbury, visited Stourport Primary Academy, for pupils to experience Japanese traditional drumming.

The event offered a way to celebrate, with music and energetic activity, a successful first year of Japanese cultural enrichment lessons at the school.

Jacqui Elwis, headteacher, said: "This workshop was financially supported by the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, who advocate friendship between the UK and Japan. Without doubt, we achieved our first step very successfully.

"We are also grateful to the Embassy of Japan for lending us Japanese artefacts to create a Japanese atmosphere in the school."

Misa Lyon, a local Japanese tutor who helps at the school and help arrange the experience, added: "I knew the Taiko drumming workshop would be a perfect culmination of the pupils' hard work during our weekly Japanese enrichment lessons over the year, but the outcome exceeded our expectations.

"Every pupil thoroughly enjoyed, not only drumming, but also the harmonised performance. I believe it greatly contributed to the 'inclusive education' the school endeavours to promote."

Stourport Primary is set to expand the range of activities on their Japanese cultural studies during the new term, following the success of the event.