A VILLAGE choir is determined to show a group of overseas visitors the best the North west has to offer -- even if it costs them the last of their "gas".

As far as timing goes things could not be going worse for the members of Edgworth Methodist Church choir.

After more than a year in the planning, a party of visitors from an East German church choir arrived in the village on Thursday night from Manchester Airport -- right in the middle of the fuel crisis.

North Turton parish councillor Dave Smith, who helped organise the exchange, said the first of their troubles came in finding a mini-bus driver to pick up the 12-strong delegation from the airport.

Cllr Smith said they eventually managed to find a coach driver who was forced to pay £4 a litre to fill the bus. The choir hail from the East German village of Buckow on the River Oder and over the last year has formed strong links with singers from the village's Lutheran church.

The Edgworth choir was invited to the small German village by Christiana Weber, who had worked as a volunteer at Crowthorn School National Children's home, Broadhead Road.

Organisers also had planned to take the group on a number of other trips which including an excursion to the Lake District.

But Cllr Smith said the schedule may now have to be changed if the fuel failed to flow over the weekend.

"Some of the younger members of the German choir have been forced to stay at home because it was felt that they may not have much fun if we could not get out and about," said Cllr Smith.

"But we are determined to make the trip worthwhile even if we have to use the last of our petrol to do so. If we can't get to the Lakes then we will try and organise an excursion by train to somewhere like Clitheroe and we will show them around our community even if we have to walk."

Last night the visitors were treated to a flute recital at the Methodist Church accompanied by renown pianist Paul Greenhalgh. And they will be taking part in the church services on Sunday before heading back to the airport on Monday.