Former doctor Nick Maurice and surgery receptionist Anita Bew have both been made honorary citizens of Marlborough’s link African community of Gunjur.

Dr Maurice, 66, returned on Monday from a week in Gunjur in The Gambia where he was invited with Mrs Bew to a civic reception at which both were honoured in recognition of the part they have played in the 25 year link between the Wiltshire town and the African fishing village.

The former family GP, who took early retirement to concentrate on his work with the Marlborough Brandt Group which he helped found, and Mrs Bew, a pharmacist for the Marlborough Medical Practice, have both played a major part in developing the internationally acclaimed friendship.

They have both paid many visits to the village where mother-of-three Mrs Bew has built a second home and they were invited out to Gunjur last week for the citizenship ceremony.

Lamin Senneh, governor of the Western region of The Gambia, said the link between the two very different communities had brought positive benefits to both.

Before conferring the citizenship honour on the Marlborough pair, Mr Sanneh said: “I cannot fail to mention the efforts of thousands of people from Gunjur and Marlborough who have made this link a success.

“It has helped in the education of youths from both Gunjur and Marlborough who have now become great assets to our country, especially in the education sector.”

The Alkalo (mayor) of Gunjur Alhaji Sulayman Touray, who visited Marlborough last year with Gunjur’s women’s leader, said the awards were well deserved by Dr Maurice and Mrs Bew. “This is our way of saying thank you for your efforts which have gone a long way in promoting development in our community and in this country as well.”

Dr Maurice said he was delighted to accept the honour. “To me this is the culmination of an extraordinary adventure which began from my experience in another part of West Africa.”

The father-of-three said his experience while teaching in Togo gave him the idea of developing links between his home town, Marlborough, and an African community.

Back in Marlborough on Tuesday Dr Maurice said: “We were invited to Gunjur following the visit by their mayor and head of women’s organisation last year. They loved being in Marlborough and had a fantastic time and decided they had to do something to in return.”