TWIN town French Ambassador Anne Louvigny is trading places with Clare Littler as Britain and France celebrate the 100th anniversary of 1904's landmark Entente Cordiale.

For the past 15 years, the Leigh area has been twinned with the French city of Angers, in the Loire Valley of western France.

Each year, a young ambassador is sent from the borough of Wigan to Angers, while an ambassador from Angers arrives here to maintain and develop links between the communities, cultural and sporting organisations, and schools and businesses.

They also translate speeches and act as interpreters at functions.

Language student Anne, aged 22, speaks English, Spanish, German and Italian, and has experienced student life abroad before. In between studying and practising karate, Anne has worked variously as a tri-lingual switchboard operator, receptionist and exhibition guide in Madrid.

She said: "I have been very warmly welcomed and many people are really interested in French culture and exchanging with Angers. It is a real pleasure to be working and living here for a year."

Twenty-two year old Clare, of Garswood, is fluent in Russian and French, having studied in both countries.

She is a keen dancer with teaching qualifications in tap and disco and has already experienced life in France and worked as a children's courier in Royan.

She said: "I'm looking forward to promoting my home town to the people of Angers and encouraging more people to take an interest in their twin town."