A GROUP of school pupils from Keighley enjoyed a sought-after trip to Japan, courtesy of an offer from a media and educational organisation.

The three year 12 students and one year 11 student were able to travel to Tokyo for two weeks, thanks to funding from the Japanese Hakuho Foundation.

Jack Lewis, Jack Coppen, Sarah Szczur and Hannah Kilcoyne travelled with Deiter Verfuerth, who is modern foreign languages faculty leader at Holy Family, and is also a Japanese teacher.

Mr Verfuerth said: "I feel that the students got a lot out of this. They met people from many different countries, not just from Japan.

"All four of the students said that one day they would like to return to Japan, which shows this had the desired impact."

The pupils, who are all studying Japanese language, said the trip gave them an excellent opportunity to use their Japanese skills in a demandingly realistic environment.

During their stay they delivered presentations in Japanese, went on a "boot camp" near the base of the iconic Mount Fuji, visited shrines and an imperial palace.

They also practised the Kendo martial art and experienced a traditional tea ceremony.

Mr Verfuerth said the group was mainly hosted in a four-star hotel in central Tokyo, though added that the pupils also spent a short period staying with host families.