by Adam Williams and Sian Napier

kentishgazette@thekmgroup.co.uk

Staff and students at Canterbury's Chaucer College have been reacting to the devastation of last Friday's earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Chaucer College, based at the Kent University campus is twinned with Japan's Shumei University, around 100 miles from Tokyo in the country's south east. Chaucer College host more than 100 Japanese students who spend a year in Canterbury as part of their studies.

Friends and relatives back home have not been directly affected with the Shumei campus and surrounding areas escaping the damage and devastation.

Chaucer vice chancellor Dr Keith Wren admits the scale of the disaster is unprecedented.

He said: "I've been looking at the images and footage over the weekend with absolute horror and incredulity.

"What keeps coming back to me every time I see it is those dreadful images from 9/11, the feeling of inevitability about it all. But, the Japanese government appear well-equipped to handle the aftermath of the disaster.

"Our Japanese staff here are dealing with matters back at the parent campus. We're extremely grateful for all the expressions of anxiety and concern we've received since Friday.

"Fingers crossed our students have not been as directly affected by the disaster as others, but the emotional impact has been overwhelming."

Meanwhile the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has sent a message of condolence to the Anglican Archbishop of Japan the Most Rev Nathaniel Makoto Uematsu, expressing support and prayers for the Japanese people at this time.

The Archbishop said: "The news of the horrific earthquake in Japan has shocked us all. We await further and more detailed news with apprehension, but I want to say immediately that our hearts and our prayers go out to all who have been affected and that we as a church will do what we can to offer practical as well as spiritual support at this time of great suffering and great anxiety for so many.

"A message of sympathy and support has already gone to the Anglican Archbishop of Japan and we intend to keep in contact about the crisis."

Do you have friends or relatives in Japan caught up in the devastation? If so, leave a message below or emailkentishgazette@thekmgroup.co.uk