Wales' Minister for Education and Brecon and Radnorshire AM Kirsty Williams has been on a visit to Texas, Alabama and Georgia to promote Wales as a study destination.

The trip to the USA was also intended to "build civic and education partnerships, and secure agreements and opportunities for Welsh students, academics and organisations".

The visit included meetings with presidents and senior representatives from leading US universities, the Mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, HM Consuls General in Houston and Atlanta and UK trade and science officials, speaking engagements at universities and business events, and hosting receptions to promote Wales and its higher education sector, alongside colleagues from Welsh universities.

Ms Williams said: "Throughout the visit there was significant interest in what Wales and our universities can offer, and how we can work with civic and education institutions across the US south to deepen and strengthen student exchanges, study abroad programme and research relationships. There will be further developments in these areas in the coming months."

Ms Williams also visited the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, to remember the 1963 bombing victims and to see the 'Welsh Window', a gift from the people of Wales to Birmingham, in 1965, following a public appeal by artist John Petts.

Four young girls lost their lives in the explosion, before a Sunday morning service, at the church which had a predominantly black congregation and was also used as a meeting place for civil rights leaders.

White supremacists were suspected of the bombing and three men with Ku Klux Klan links were later convicted.

Pett’s depiction of a black Christ is considered one of the civil rights movement’s most iconic pieces of art and it stands at the front of the rebuilt 16th Street Baptist Church.