RESIDENTS of Cirencester are being called on to help complete a giant postcard to be sent to the City of Bathurst in Australia as part of a friendship agreement.

The card, which stands at 4ft by 6ft, is to include iconic images of both the Cotswold town and the New South Wales city, before being posted Down Under.

Bathurst Regional Council approached Cirencester Town Council in 2016 with the idea of forming an official friendship, on the suggestion of Cirencester’s Lord Bathurst himself.

The previous year, the Earl had visited the Australian city, which was named after his ancestor the third Earl Bathurst.

The initiative looks to bring the two capitals closer together via commerce, tourism, sports, the arts, community and education.

More than £10,000 has already been pledged by the Cirencester business community to go towards the initiative.

“The post card has various gaps that we would like you to fill with your pics,” said former mayor Cllr Mark Harris, who has been involved in the planning of the scheme from an early stage.

“We would like you to send in your view of your town, whether it is of Bathurst or Cirencester.

He said: “It can be a new photo, an old photo or even a painting or drawing, we will pick – winners and they will go onto the card and it will be posted to the Mayor of Bathurst at the end of October.”

In partnership with Cirencester Community Development Trust (CCDT) a series of activities and events will take place culminating in a community launch of the friendship partnership between the two regional capitals at the parish church this October.

Images are to be sent to info@cirencesterbathurst.org or ryan.merrifield@wiltsglosstandard.co.uk.

A judging panel made up of sponsors and Standard reporter Ryan Merrifield, will choose the winning pictures and they will be printed on the card.

Entries close on September 30.