A TOWN's shoppers were given impromptu lessons in how to fight stress - Chinese-style.

Eight practitioners of Falun Gong demonstrated Tai Chi-type exercises in Middlesbrough's shopping centre.

The largely spiritual movement is based on Buddhist and Taoist principles.

The exercises are intended to leave people feeling peaceful, refreshed and energised.

The cousin of Ze Xia, one of those who took part in the demonstration, was one of the students shot dead in the Tiananmen Square massacre in Beijing in June, 1989.

The dead boy's mother has had periods of virtual house arrest for asking who ordered the shooting on that fateful day.

She and Teesside University worker Lei Song will join an Amnesty International organised demonstration in Edinburgh on August 1, protesting at the participation in this year's Edinburgh Tattoo of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.