RESIDENTS and councillors took part in a trip to the French town of Gien, marking the 20th anniversary of the first.

For the first time, Malmesbury Mayor Fran Vandelli and Malmesbury Town Cllr Gavin Grant, joined the Malmesbury Town Twinning delegation on the trip.

Of the 25 residents who accompanied the trip, Glyn Davies and Jackie Morris were part of the original trip 20 years ago, and returned to recommend both towns twin together.

Each town takes turns hosting a visit from their counterparts, with Malmesbury hosting the the largest delegation from Gien ever last year,

The Malmesbury delegation were received in Gien’s town hall by Mayor Christian Beaulou, members of his town council and officials and the Gien Town Twinning Association.

Malmesbury and Gien are also both twinned with the German town of Niebull.

This‎ arrangement of linking three towns together from the main European combatants of both World Wars is thought to be unique.

Speaking after a meeting between councillors, Cllr Grant said: “We have been made very welcome here by our French hosts.

“Building a positive relationship with our sister towns in Europe is really important, particularly given the challenges of Brexit.”‎

Malmesbury Mayor Vandelli said: “We discussed how to build this relationship, in particular the arrangements for both town’s historic commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War 1 on Sunday 11 November.”

These discussions are at an early stage but both mayors said they wanted to participate with representatives from each town at their official commemorations. Both also want to involve representatives from Niebull.

Gien Deputy Mayor Stephane Cornee added: “I am delighted and honoured to be asked to help Gien deepen our connection‎ with Malmesbury.”