MEMBERS of an orchestra from Christchurch, New Zealand arrived in their Dorset twin town following the earthquake that destroyed their home town.

The Mayor of Christchurch,Cllr Nick Geary, greeted musicians from Linwood College as they prepared to play two concerts in the town as the culmination of their European tour.

So far the orchestra has played in Rome, Peruggia, Florence, Venice, Salzburg and Paris before arriving in London for a concert at Westminster Abbey on Anzac Day.

Some members of the orchestra will be staying with host families from Twynham School, who have an exchange programme with the New Zealand school, while others will be staying at Avon Tyrell Activity Centre.

The tour had been put in jeopardy by the devastating earthquake which hit Christchurch, New Zealand earlier this year.

Tony Ryan, conductor of the orchestra said: “Two weeks after the earthquake I thought there was no way that the tour could go ahead, but some very determined people started contacting the students, who themselves were determined to find a way of making sure the tour would still happen.

“I think we all saw it as a way of getting beyond the earthquake and trying to cope with life again.

“The moral support we’ve had has been equally important, knowing that people in other parts of the world have been thinking of us.”