MALVERN'S link with the Czech spa town of Marianske Lazne is developing rapidly, after reciprocal visits by the twinning committees of both towns in the last four weeks.

The visits follows the official visit to Malvern of the Mayor of Marianske Lazne, Petr Tresnak, and his deputies in July.

Coming to Malvern were Andrew Dennison, a British-born resident of Marianske Lazne for 20 years, and Petr Chvala of Electrometall, the town's only major manufacturing company, which makes parts for electric and other vehicles.

The visit was aimed at laying the foundation for greater cooperation between the towns in Travel and Tourism, the Scouts and Guides movement, and the development of technical cooperation between businesses.

Mr Chvala was delighted to see products from his factory incorporated in Morgan cars, during a tour of the factory, and he also gave a presentation in English to Jim Murphy and Dan Wild of Electraa, Malvern's own organisation for the promotion of electric vehicles.

He was pleased to find that Malvern is a significant centre of electric car promotion, as his company is working on the new electric Porsche for which it provides the all-important charging cables and equipment.

Mark Young of Malvern Community Partnership, which is leading the twinning process, said: "The two towns have a lot of opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation

"Malvern's twinning committee was represented in Marianske Lazne at a discussion of aspects of developing the spa and wellbeing concept in Malvern with the Czech director of tourism.

"Malvern is keen to explore this matter and receive advice from one of the world's great spa towns, just as Marianske Lazne is keen to diversify its economy by attracting more industry and develop visitor attractions apart from spa facilities."

It is hoped that a delegation from Marianske Lazne will visit Malvern at the end of April next year for the annual well-dressing festival, and plans are also being made for a team of traditional dancers from Malvern to take part in the May 2016 opening of the spa season, an important social event in the town.