Lydney celebrated 25 years of the entente cordiale with its French twin town Bréhal last weekend.

A group of 47 French visitors were hosted in and around the town and they enjoyed some fantastic weather to see the Forest of Dean at its best.

A supper and dance was held at Yorkley Community Centre on Friday (May 6) to mark the event and commemorative gifts exchanged between the mayors and officials of the two communities.

The visitors from Bréhal, a town in the Manche department of Normandy, spent the weekend with their host families taking in the sights and sounds of Gloucestershire. Some ventured as far afield as the Cotswolds, others made the most of a warm afternoon to enjoy the bluebells.

Chair of Lydney Twinning Association, Judy Capps, was delighted with the weekend and offered her thanks to the hosts who came forward to accommodate the larger than usual party.

She said: “We were complimented on the wonderful hospitality shown to our French friends and it’s clear the twinning is as strong as ever.

“Planning is already underway for next year’s visit to Bréhal,” she said.

If you would like to get involved or find out more about the twinning association they have a website

lydneytwinning.org.uk which has information and contact details.