PLANS to twin Malvern with a spa town in the French Pyrenees are moving ahead with the formation of an official twinning association.

The association has been formed by Malvern residents who have connections with France, will the support of officers and members of Malvern Town Council.

The proposal is to twin Malvern with French town of Bagnères-de-Bigorre, which, like Malvern, has a long history as a health spa.

The association's chairman, Graham Dimmock, said initial meetings have been extremely productive, with huge amounts of enthusiasm and positivity from everyone involved, and he wishes to extend an invitation to everyone in Malvern.

“It’s crucial that the Twinning makes a real impact in Malvern,” he said, “and so we’d like to hear from anyone and everyone who might want to be involved. It’s really exciting to have so much interest and enthusiasm, so please get in touch.”

Contact has already been made between Dyson Perrins C of E Academy and Collège Saint Vincent in Bagnères-de-Bigorre, with the aim of a pupil exchange in 2016, and creating further links of this kind between societies, clubs and organisations is intended to be a major component of the twinning.

If you’d like to be involved with the Twinning Association, contact Mr Dimmock on 01684 892036 or Eadwine Brown at Malvern Town Council on 01684 566667.