A SCARRED brick from Hiroshima that was destroyed by an atom bomb at the end of the Second World War has been donated to the University of Reading.

The partnership between our town and the Japanese city was established when the university responded quickly to an appeal to help rebuild the library in the aftermath of 1945.

Representatives from Hiroshima University visited Reading on March 19 to present two brick fragments, photographs and books, which will all be displayed to act as a reminder of the town's generosity and destruction caused by the atomic weapon.

The materials will be used in teaching and research, carried out by the departments of History and Museum Studies.

Dr Mara Oliver, a lecturer in Modern American History, said: “We were honoured to host two guests from Hiroshima University and humbled to receive this donation.

"These poignant items will serve as visual reminders of the unprecedented loss of life caused by the Hiroshima atomic bomb, but also of the process of re-establishing order and peace.”

The gifts were presented to the vice-chancellor, Sir David Bell by Rebun Kayo, chair of the Association of Hiroshima University for Sending Atomic-bombed Roof Tiles.

The Association aims to continue awareness of the devastating effects of the Hiroshima atom bomb and the other dropped on Nagasaki three days later, and to oppose the use of nuclear weapons.

Mr Kayo said he hoped that displaying the salvaged fragments would continue to tell the story of the Hiroshima bombing on behalf of the victims and survivors.

He received gifts from the University of Reading to take back to Hisorhima, before performing a recital on a traditional Japanese musical instrument.

During the visit, he spoke with academics and students from the departments of History and Museum Services.

He was given a tour of university sites, including the Memorial Clock Tower and Anglo-Japanese Friendship Gate at the London Road campus and the Archaeology building on Whiteknights campus, where the previously donated tiles are displayed.

Mr Kayo was also shown the University’s old library, from which the two books were donated to Hiroshima in 1951.