TEACHERS and teenagers will be next in line for a taste of the Orient thanks to Bury's on-going links with China.

More cultural, educational and sporting links have been forged with the city of Datong, with whom the borough has established a Friendship Agreement, following a visit by the mayor and a delegation from Bury Council.

The team heard that 14,000 people, in just ten days, viewed an exhibition sent over by Bury Photographic Society. Datong is now keen to send a return show to Bury along with entertainers and performers. The Chinese have also accepted an invitation to send a party of 15-year-old students to take part in next years Bury International Youth Sports Festival. Bury, meanwhile, hopes to take a party to Datong for sports during the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

There are also opportunities for staff to take part in exchange visits, building on existing links between St Monicas High School in Prestwich and the No 3 Middle School in Datong.

The Mayor of Bury, Councillor Steven Treadgold, said many schools and universities were desperate for teachers to help with English conversation. "For many positions you do not need a teaching qualification.

"Accommodation is provided and English-speaking staff will be paid what amounts to a reasonable local pay.

"Although it may be difficult to leave home for a lengthy spell in China, maybe as long as nine months, it could provide a unique opportunity for a year out for a student either before or after university and also a chance to learn to speak Chinese."

The Bury contingent visited the Great Wall at Ba Da Ling en route to Datong where they met the mayor, Mr Guo Liangxiao, and won immediate kudos by presented him with a Manchester City shirt signed by player Sun Ji Hai, who is captain of the China national team!

They also toured the citys economic development zone including a pharmaceutical works and a factory producing granite flooring, and went to the citys No 3 hospital and Yungang Grottoes, which feature thousands of carved buddhas.

And they also visited Datong Electric Locomotive Works, a fitting tour given that the early stages of the relationship were developed through the East Lancs Railway.