TIBETAN monks are to visit Burnley during a cultural tour of Europe.

The monks from the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in South India will arrive in the country next month and will accompany His Holiness the Dalai Lama when he officially opens the Tibetan Peace garden in London on May 13.

The following Tuesday, May 18, they will give a Spirit of Peace performance of sacred mask dances, sacred chants and music at the Comfort Inn, Keirby Walk.

They will also visit Burnley General Hospital where they will have lunch and see the industrial therapy department.

Doreen Clegg, nurse/supervisor in the department, said: "This is the monk's first visit to Europe and the performance at the Comfort Inn is a unique opportunity to see them.''

She added: "Peace is in the minds of most people at this time and we are only too pleased to help refugees who have experienced trauma and hardship in both Tibet and Albania/Kosovo." Proceeds from the Spirit of Peace performance will go to the Tibet Foundation.

The event starts at 7.30pm and tickets are £5 (£6 family tickets, £3 concessions and £1 for children).

Ticket contact numbers are daytime 01282 474755, evenings and weekends 01282 711007.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.