EVENTS in Darlington as part of the Japan 2001 Festival have impressed an important visitor to the town.

Tsuyoshi Enomoto, the cultural attache for the Japanese Embassy in London, came to Darlington to preview an art exhibition celebrating the links between Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College and Japan. He toured the exhibition with the mayor, Councillor Isobel Hartley, and said he was very impressed with the town's efforts to celebrate the festival.

He said: "I am happy to see lots of events are happening across the UK, but Darlington in particular is very impressive.

"It is amazing how hard people have worked here to create a better understanding between Japan and the UK."

The Reflections from the Floating World exhibition is a collection of paintings, videos, sculptures, textiles, ceramics and three-dimensional design from ten selected artists, including Rita Smith, director of creative arts at the college.

The exhibition is on display in the college's Space gallery until December 19, when it moves on to Edinburgh.

The gallery is open from 9am to 5pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and from 9am to 9pm on Mondays and Thursdays.