A FOLK group has travelled thousands of miles to pick up tips from performances in the region.

After a 24-hour trip from the Far East, The Budlet Folk Dance Club from Hong Kong arrived in Billingham on Tuesday, after hearing about the town's Folklore Festival via the Internet.

They are staying in a local hotel until the end of the festival tomorrow, and are hoping to pick up new skills from dance course workshops to take back to Hong Kong.

Fung Hang-Mal, one of the group, said: "We have been meaning to come for a number of years and, this year, thought 'why not?'

"We were unsure, though, when the festival started and sadly we have missed a couple of days, but we have really enjoyed it and hopefully we can take some new steps home with us."

Each day, dancers from the festival take part in the workshops, at Pentland School, and yesterday a visiting group from Italy taught participants their native dance.

Fung Hang-Mal said: "We find the groups taking part are really very good and it is good for us as we are learning lots of new things.

"We are really enjoying our stay in Billingham. It is very quiet and peaceful and not too hot, and even though we had a long journey to get here, we hope to come back again."