MEMBERS of an Italian theatre group were welcomed to Hampshire as part of the Romsey Festival.

Six youngsters from TAE Teatro, based in Romsey’s twin town of Treviglio near Milan, visited as part of a joint venture between Romsey Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society and Romsey Twinning.

They showed off their stilt-walking skills during the Beggars’ Fair and presented two shows as part of the Romsey Festival.

Stefano Rozzoni, leader of the group, gave a passionate presentation about poet Vita Sackville-West in the atmospheric setting of St Lawrence Chapel in Romsey Abbey.

A mask-making workshop, inspired by the animals in The Lion King, also proved popular.

But it was not all work for the theatre group members during their stay in Hampshire.

The youngsters were taken on a walk in the New Forest with their hosts, ending with a pub lunch.

Romsey Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society and Romsey Male Voice Choir may return the favour by performing in Treviglio in May 2019.