CHILDREN at a village primary school may take their parents by surprise when instead of asking for an apple or a strawberry they instead request a ringo or an ichigo.

For youngsters at Rowde village school took things to a different level when life in Japan was the term's topic. Children in Year 5 learnt how to write the words for fruits and vegetables in Japanese and also learnt to count to ten.

Words they learnt were incorporated into the school's Harvest Festival service held in the village church.

The school also held a Japanese Day and children came dressed in Japanese costumes.

Chairman of the governors Jackie Bawden said: "They spent the day making popular Japanese fish out of tissue paper and card and lanterns. They also watched animation films made in Japan."

During the term they also carried out research into eduction, sport and leisure activities in Japan.