The mysteries of an oriental board game older than chess were unravelled at a school in Abingdon before the cameras of a Japanese television crew.

Twelve pupils at Fitzharrys School play the ancient game of GO -- the history of which can be traced back more than 2,500 years in China. They featured in a special programme being filmed by NHKTV of Tokyo as part of a series about the game.

Fitzharrys School was chosen because it is one of few schools in the country to play the game and the television company wanted to highlight GO in Britain.

The game gained popularity at Fitzharrys five years ago when Nick Wedd, from North Hinksey, was asked to organise indoor activities at a summer school. GO took hold and now there is a school club.

The senior programme director for NHKTV, Nobuaki Kurihara first began playing GO 40 years ago. He said: "It is a most interesting but demanding game. It is part of the Oriental tradition and everyone shows great respect for their opponent."

More details about GO can be obtained from the website: www.britgo.org