Hundreds of people were treated to a taste of the Orient in Gillingham at the weekend.

This year’s Will Adams Festival was held on Saturday at the Black Lion Leisure Centre.

Visitors enjoyed displays included the Kyushin Ryu Ju Jitsu Association from Rochester and re-enactors depicting the lives of Japanese generals, known as Shoguns, in the 16th and 17th centuries.

There was also a traditional tea ceremony led by Medway Mayor David Carr, joined on the day by Japanese students from Chaucer College in Canterbury.

Other attractions included face painting, martial arts demonstrations, traditional Japanese dancing, storytelling and arts and crafts stalls.

The festival has been held every September since 2000 to honour Will Adams, the Gillingham man who set up the first trading links between Britain and Japan.

Adams had been in the Royal Navy and fought against Spain under Sir Francis Drake.

His connection with Japan began in 1600 when he was a chief navigator and his ship ran aground on the island of Kyushu.

He eventually impressed the Shogun with his knowledge of shipbuilding and navigation

In recognition of all his services to Japan he was granted the honoured title of Samurai.