THERE were tears and smiles as pupils from Cheryl Rowlands School of Drama sang their goodbyes to a Portishead visitor after a six-month stay in the town.

Maki Van Eker who lives in the Philippines, tracked down her father who had no idea she existed, on Facebook last year and has been on a six-month visit to get to know her new family.

She said: “Portishead is a wonderful town and I have got to know and love a lot of people here. I hope I will be able to return again soon.”

The trip to the UK was Maki’s first time outside her home country and she was ecstatic when she experienced snow for the first time.

Maki’s half-sister Georgie is a student at the drama school where the youngsters are currently rehearsing for their summer show, an adaptation of The Sound of Music.

Principal Cheryl Rowlands said: “The children thought it would be nice to perform their version of So Long Farewell for Maki and they did a wonderful job.”

Maki who flew home on March 23 added: “No-one has ever sung for me in my life I am thrilled. I have felt more at home and more welcome in Portishead during these past few months than I have anywhere, ever, I am very sad to leave.”