AN ENTHUSIAST travelled almost 6,000 miles to give the Japanese a history lesson on Knutsford's most famous author.

Joan Leach revealed the secrets of Elizabeth Gaskell's work during a speech to a crowd of 60 in Tokyo.

"I made sure I spoke slowly so they could understand me," she said.

Mrs Leach was invited to the city by the Gaskell Society of Japan, which was founded 16 years ago - four years after the one in Knutsford.

It wants to strengthen links between the two countries and learn more about the novelist.

Some of the members have already visited Knutsford on sightseeing trips, but many more now plan to travel to the town.

"It is important that we have these cultural exchanges," said Mrs Leach. the historian talked about the books that feature Knutsford and made Elizabeth Gaskell famous.

She also presented the crowd with slides of the town and promoted it as a tourist attraction.

The Japanese are currently translating Gaskell's novels into their language.

Professor Hidemitsu Tohgo, who is a fan of the work of Mrs Leach's late husband Christopher, recently finished translating one of her most famous works - Wives and Daughters.

When the talk was over Mrs Leach travelled the country soaking up its cultures and customs while staying with three families.

"I came back very conscious that my house is full of clutter," she said.

Mrs Leach visited many of the country's famous sites and two sushi bars where she tried everything from eels to sea urchins.

She even got used to taking her shoes off in every house and wearing slippers.

"I had to wear a different pair when I went to the toilet," she said. "They are really big on hygiene over there."

The historian has been inspired to study the works of Japanese authors and wants the British to take more interest in Japanese literature.

"It is a shame because a lot of people don't even know the names of their writers," she said.

ssmith@guardiangrp.co.uk