PUPILS from a local school had an insight into celebrating Chinese New year thanks to a recent visitor.

Sally Liu – who was born and brought up in Taiwan – spent a morning with Kestrels Class in Stowford School to give them a unique insight into life in Asia as part of their topic on China.

Sally, who is the aunt of one of the children in the class, talked about a wide range of issues including her memories of practising for and living through earthquakes, the importance of family and how new year is celebrated.

She also explained that there are no dairy products available in Taiwan and that locals eat tofu as an alternative to cheese.

Kestrels' teacher Anne Burns said: 'It really was an eye opening opportunity for all of us, staff and children, and we learnt so much.

'Sally also taught us how to use chopsticks and say some simple phrases in Chinese.

'She had made a name card for everyone, to show them what their name would look like in traditional Chinese.

'It was a truly amazing opportunity to learn, first hand, about the values and way of life for people in Asia.'