A GROUP of people from Norden in Germany are paying a visit to Bradford on Avon to celebrate the towns being twinned for the past 50 years.

The Germans were welcomed by the town's twinning association along with Bradford on Avon town council yesterday (Thursday July 11) afternoon there will be a welcome reception at St Margaret's Hall this evening (Friday July 12).

The guests will be staying with host families and individuals in the town.

There is a jam packed schedule for the week, including visits to the GWR Steam museum in Swindon, the Concorde museum in Filton, Chavenage House near Tetbury.

Tours of the Willow and Wetlands Centre at Stoke St. Gregory, near Taunton, and the the Somerset Cider Brandy Company have also been arranged.

The group will then have some free time to spend in the town with their hosts.

Roger Andrews, chair of the twinning association said: "We are celebrating 50 years of twinning between Bradford on Avon and Norden and the programme has been planned around other 50 year events.

"Hence our visit to the Swindon Steam Museum as it is 50 years since the last train was pulled by a steam engine on the British Rail network.

"Concorde first flew in 1969, so another 50 year connection.

"My welcome speech at the reception on Friday evening will include video clips of a steam engine, the first flight of Concorde and also the Moon landing.

"I will explain that we are not intending to make a visit to the moon, but, unlike the moon landing, 600,000,000 people around the world, did not watch the signing of the Charter between Bradford and Norden, but we are still here and active."