EAST Durham residents are being given the chance to take part in two exchange visits.

Seaham Town Council is organising the trips to its German twin town of Gerlingen.

The first will be in July for an annual music festival, and the second will be in September for the Gerlingen Stras-senfest.

The visit to the music festival will leave Seaham on Wednesday, July 3, returning a week later. The Strassenfest visit will depart on Wednesday, September 4 and return on Tuesday, September 11.

Bookings for both visits will open on Wednesday, January 23, at Seaham Town Council's Civic Offices, at 3-4 Adelaide Row, Seaham.

Priority for bookings will initially be given to residents of the town and the adjoining villages of Dalton-le-Dale, Murton and Seaton with Slingley, along with those who have regularly hosted German guests over several years.

Those living outside Seaham can have their names included on a reserve list. Further information is available on 0191-581 8034.