A NORWEGIAN woman is hoping to encourage people from Darlington to visit her town.

Linge Rowlands lives in Kragero, in the south of Norway, with her husband, who is originally from Darlington.

The couple have made many trips to the North-East, and last year, brought a choir to the region to perform.

Now they are keen to encourage people from Darlington to visit them and Mrs Rowlands wants to twin it with her home town.

She said: "Kragero is the place the Norwegians visit on holiday, but people outside do not know about it.

"It is perfect for a weekend break and is close to ski resorts in the winter.

"We have no problem encouraging our people to come and visit Darlington, but now we want to get people from the North-East to visit us."

Mrs Rowlands has been in contact with the Mayor of Darlington, Ron Lewis, to ask if he will support a move to twin the two towns.

She said: "It would be nice to get civic support for what we are planning, but I am determined to organise the twinning myself anyway.

"If we could just get a few minibus trips across to see us, the word would soon spread."