AS Brexit negotiations continue, a councillor has pledged not to let the UK’s departure from the EU affect the solid bond between Darlington and its twin towns.

In the summer, a contingent including Darlington councillors and the town’s mayor, Cllr Veronica Copeland, visited France and Germany.

Their trip was organised to refresh links between Darlington and its official twin towns, Mulheim and Amiens.

Since its inception in the early 1980s, the Darlington Town Twinning and International Association has organised a number of such trips, along with exchanges and student visits.

The most recent trip was organised to strengthen the bonds between the towns and assure people that Brexit would not mean a breakdown in relations, according to Cllr Tom Nutt.

The visit saw dignitaries from Darlington and both towns sign a ‘Reaffirmation of Friendship and Co-operation’ that Cllr Nutt, chair of the association, hopes will “bind us all together through uncertain times in Europe”.

With the UK’s departure from the EU on the horizon, Cllr Nutt is now calling for more awareness of the impact Brexit could have, especially on young people hoping to study and work abroad.

He spoke out last week to highlight the importance of initiatives such as the Town Twinning association and said it was vital to forge links and remain close not only to the twin towns but to Europe in a wider sense.

Cllr Nutt said: “We refreshed and strengthened our links with the twin towns recently because with Brexit happening, we wanted to do something.

“I spoke to a lot of our friends in Germany and in France and they cannot comprehend at all why we want to leave the EU, they are at a total loss to understand it.

“I want everyone to know that we will still do our best to keep up our links with our twin towns because it is important to do so.”

He added: “I am worried about Brexit and am especially concerned about what happens to our students who want to study abroad, for example. I believe that this could have a big impact on opportunities for our young people.”

Cllr Nutt is currently preparing for another visit to Germany, where he will promote Darlington at a Christmas Market, through the sale of ‘Mrs Darlington’ branded jam and chutney.

For more information about the Darlington Town Twinning and International Association, visit: http://www.darlingtontowntwinning.co.uk