A TWO-year international music project bringing together cultures and communities from across Europe reached its climax in Okehampton this weekend.

Wren Music hosted choirs from five European nations to mark the end of a two-year EU project, TESST — Traditional European Songs Singing Together.

Since October 2011, Wren's local choirs have visited choirs in Romania, Italy, Spain, Germany and Portugal as part of the Grundtvig Lifelong Learning Partnership programme.

Last weekend the five European choirs visted Okehampton for a concert and the chance to experience British culture. Each choir provided four songs for all choirs to sing together, and has sung a short concert of songs typical to their nationality.

The West Devon Folk Choir planned a hectic weekend of activities for the visiting choirs, including a civic reception at the town hall, Devonshire cream teas, and attending a Devon folk night full of singing and dancing.

Project manager Marilyn Tucker said: 'It was a wonderful weekend, and our visitors loved Okehampton. We had some of our visitors say they thought Dartmoor was more beautiful than Tuscany, and our Spanish visitors couldn't believe that England could be so beautiful.

'They were knocked out by how beautiful the town is, and they got to try a lot of local experiences, including local beer and cheese from North Tawton. They thught our scones and clotted cream were heavenly!

'It was a great programme of events and it has been a wonderful project.'

The weekend culminated in a free concert at All Saints Parish Church on Sunday.

Town mayor Cllr the Rev Mike Davies attended the civic reception and the finale concert and was bowled over by the activities: 'The choir concert was absolutely exceptional. There was certainly something for everyone, and it was truly a delight to have attended such a memorable evening.'

Wren Music expressed thanks to All Saints Parish Church, Okehampton WI, the mayor and everyone who helped make the event such a success.