FOR four years in the early 1980s, Worcestershire played host to one of the most unusual groups of people ever to have settled down here.

The Hari Krishna movement moved into Croome Court, near Pershore, and could often be seen and heard repeating their catchy mantra as they weaved through the busy streets of Worcester, usually at a weekend.

Their presence at Croome was in direct contrast to its former occupants when it was the seat of the Coventry family and one of the county's country mansions with parkland laid out by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown.

The eastern roots of the Krishnas brought much exotic colour to Croome's interior, as can be seen from this picture when visitors were being shown around.

Now a National Trust property, understandably the colour scheme is somewhat different.