TOWN leaders are travelling to France to meet up with their twinning counterparts to cement a new relationship.

Members of Bedale's town twinning group, have organised a self-funded trip to Azay-sur-Cher, in the Dordogne, to sign a declaration of interest for the two communities. Community leaders from the French town approached the town last year to see if there was any interest in forming a twinning arrangement.

Mayor of Bedale Cllr Christine Mollard said six members of the new town twinning group would be travelling to France in April to progress the scheme.

“We are paying for the trip ourselves and staying with French families in Azay-sur-Cher. It’s all to support playing our part in spreading the word about Bedale and being international. If we can promote businesses and the town that’s all to the good.”

The group has asked to use the town council’s logo on official paperwork for the twinning and to give a copy of a painting commissioned by the council to their French counterparts.

A return trip is being planned for a delegation from France to visit Bedale.