A NEWLYWED Japanese couple spent their honeymoon in Bridport after the bride fell in love with the town during an international exchange programme.

It has been eight years since Takako Endo last visited West Dorset as one of the young people taking part in the Japanese Exchange Programme.

She headed back to Bridport this month but this time with her husband Yasuhiro.

The happy couple even met up with the young people from Tokyo who have just arrived on their own programme.

Takako said: “I really love Bridport. “I wanted to introduce my husband to my Bridport friends and take him to the special places I remember like the cliffs at West Bay.

“Tokyo and Bridport are very different places, and though the people are different in some ways there are many ways that we are the same."

She added: “Communication is very important, especially for young people, and there are many ways to communicate.

“On this programme young people have good experiences that can affect their future lives.”

The programme between Bridport and Tokyo, now in its 16th year, is Dorset’s longest running scheme of its kind.

It is funded through the efforts the young people involved, their families and volunteers from the charity Bridport Young Persons Action Trust. The popularity of the exchange has seen it extended to three weeks at the request of the partner organisation in Japan, the Koyamadai Educational Foundation.

This year’s group were welcomed to Bridport by mayor Maggie Ray. She said: “It is great to welcome our Japanese guests to the town. It is something close to my heart because my son Michael, who was a member of the exchange and visited Japan seven years ago, is now living and working there.”

The same group also held a candlelit vigil in Bucky Doo Square to commemorate the bombing of Hiroshima in 1945.

Arthur Woodgate, co-founder and co-ordinator of the exchange, said: “Bridport and Toyko are very different places and our youngsters from both countries are gobsmacked when they arrive in each county.

“The relationship between the two places has grown and the relationships formed maintained for many years.”

Team leader Yuki Washizu said: “There is a very unique relationship between Toyko, which is a large city, and the small town of Bridport. It is a very special place to us.”

Excursions include a tour of Weymouth and Portland, a taste of traditional archery in Cattistock, a visit to Wookey Hole Caves, attending the Melplash Show, as well as seeing and taking part in Bridport Carnival and the torchlight procession. For further information on these non-profit initiatives email a.c.woodgate@btinternet.com