A TEAM from China are tasting life at a Padiham pipe-making factory so that they can help build their country's economy when they return home.

The visitors are spending eight weeks with Hepworth Building Products to learn about how the factory works.

When they go back to their native Jiangsu province, they will be armed with knowledge which will help speed up the area's development.

Hepworths are setting up a factory in Jiangsu, and company supervisor Darren Mitcheson will make a two-month trip to the province this autumn to help establish the plant.

Darren is overseeing the training course for Vincent, John and Jeffson - names the men have adopted for their stay.

He said: "This is a very exciting project. They are all anxious to learn and I am sure the Chinese factory will be a great success."

The men, staying at a Padiham guest house, can speak some English but to make sure key messages are understood they are being helped by interpreter, Helen.

Vincent said: "We are pleased to be part of something which will help us develop out country's infrastructure and allow China to develop still further."

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