MEMBERS of the German twinning association in Bradford on Avon are planning a big celebration for its 35th anniversary in August.

Around 50 people from Bradford's twin town Norden, in north west Germany, will be staying in Bradford to commemorate the anniversary and attend a dinner at St Margaret's Hall on August 7.

Norman Hore, publicity officer for the twinning association, said: "There are many of the original members in the group who still go and stay with the same people in Norden every time we do an exchange visit and over the years we have made some great friends."

The partnership between the two towns began in 1966 when the East-Friesland Council wrote to Wiltshire County Council asking them to investigate ways of exchange in cultural and sporting activities.

The county council sent a circular to various organisations, including Bradford Rowing Club, whose members made the first visit in the summer of 1967.

In 1968 two German groups visited Bradford and the foundation stone for twinning had been laid.

The partnership became official in 1969, when the mayor and town clerk of Norden brought a document to the old Bradford Urban District Council. This was signed the same year in Norden.

Since then the movement has grown. Members of the Norden Male voice Choir and two youth teams from the Norden Football Club visited Bradford and there have been several pupil exchanges.