by Nicola Jordan

While tension looms between Japan and China over disputed islands, a diplomatic row was on the brink of breaking out nearer to home – at Gillingham’s Will Adams Festival.

Teenage girls from Gillingham Dramatic Society stepped in at the last minute dressed in oriental robes to "meet and greet" and have their photographs taken with visitors.

But their attire caught the attention of former Medway mayor, and honorary mayor of twin town Yokosuka, Sue Haydock.

As the Medway Messenger photographer was taking a picture of Rae Hume. 17, from Strood, and Christina Campbell, 13 from Rochester, Mrs Haydock stepped in to comment on their costumes.

Mrs Haydock, fiercely proud of the links she has helped Medway to forge with Japan, said: "Clearly you have been misinformed. The clothes you are wearing are Chinese, not Japanese, and that will offend people.

"You only have to look at what I am wearing to see there’s a difference."

The girls looked puzzled, upset and totally unaware of their faux pas.

The drama group’s secretary Debbie Brennan approached Mrs Haydock to explain the situation.

She said: "We were given very little notice and did it as a favour because the other drama group were booked elsewhere. We were originally told they wanted Tudor wenches, but the a week beforehand they changed their minds and wanted Japanese geisha girls.

"With such short notice the only thing we had left in wardrobe was stuff left over from the King and I.

"I pointed out that the girls had put hours getting ready for the event and we did it as a favour. They don’t get paid and didn’t have to give up their time.

"Clearly, by the number of people who had their picture taken with them, including Chinese and Japanese, they were not offended."

Mrs Haydock was granted her honorary lifetime title in 2004, when she was mayor, on a visit to Yokosuka and Ito, also twinned with Gillingham.

She said: "It’s an honour that I don’t take lightly and work very hard to preserve and encourage links between the two countries."

For more pictures from the festival, see today's Medway Messenger.