A group of Chinese students got their first taste of foreign travel with a visit to Coventry and Warwickshire.

It was business rather than pleasure for the 64 students, who visited the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce to learn more about the local economy.

The 14-day visit was organised through Coventry University, which has co-operative links with Jianxi University of Finance & Economics in Nanchang and with Xhejiang University of Finance & Economics in Hangzhou.

Mark Eaton, who heads up the China trade liaison office at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber, said it was an important visit.

"Foreign travel is still an honour for people in China and tourism, especially to Europe, is very much in its infancy."

The students, aged 19 and 20, are from an affluent part of China and are already being earmarked for senior roles in commerce and government.

"It was great to be able to introduce them to the UK right here in Coventry and Warwickshire," said Mr Eaton.

Alan Durham, a director of the chamber, said: "International trade is going to be one of the key areas of development for this region over the next decade.

"We have to ensure that we make our mark in emerging markets and particularly China. This was a great opportunity to promote Coventry and Warwickshire to tomorrow's key officials in China," he added.