Members of the Swindon and Salzgitter Twinning Association met to discuss their trip to Germany next May.

Town twinners are hoping their nine-day visit will be as successful as the June exchange, when 15 people from Salzgitter stayed with families in Swindon.

The meeting also welcomed Salzgitter teenager Katharina Bednorz, 18, who is spending four months living and working in Purton.

Chairman Peter Mallinson said that the group was making good progress with plans but was waiting for confirmed numbers before final costings could be calculated.

Mr Mallinson, of The Bramptons, in Shaw, said: "It would be nice if some younger people came along. We are also hoping local companies will sponsor an employee to go to Salzgitter with us."

Miss Bednorz, 18, who has a job designing labels for dental suppliers Kemdent, said that she was enjoying her first visit to England.

She said: "I wanted to get work experience here because it is quite hard for young people in Germany to find work."

The twinning association was launched in 1975 and is now in its 28th year.

Anyone who wants to find out more about the trip, from May 26 to June 3 2004, should call secretary David Martin on 01793 616347 or email team@swindonsalzgitter.org