BEFORE the demise of the steel industry, Derwentside was twinned with its German counterpart.

The twin, Werdohl, also has an industrial past but now the main thing they share is 30 years of associating with each other.

To celebrate the friendship, delegates from Derwentside District Council are taking over a collage made for them.

It has been designed by Derwentside College art lecturer Chris Bowen and features scenes from the districts and heraldic shields.

The collage will be handed over during a ceremony in Werdohl by council chairman Elizabeth Coulson and head of democratic services Peter Hughes.

He said: "The relationship has developed over the years and become quite important.

"There is a camaraderie between the two organisations and there are a lot of personal connections and they will visit us in return later this year."

Published: 01/07/2005