THE FA Cup is to make its first visit to Lancashire in years when it will take pride of place at Clitheroe's Shawbridge ground on Easter Sunday.

Hot on the heels of the Worthington Cup, AXA, current sponsors of the world-renowned trophy, have teamed up with insurance specialists Sagar, based in Well Terrace in Clitheroe, to bring the silverware to the Ribble Valley.

John Meadows, director at Sagar Insurance, said: "The chance to bring the AXA sponsored FA Cup to Clitheroe was too good an opportunity to miss and I hope that as many people as possible come to see the famous trophy."

And the timing could not be better as its visit will help celebrate the 25th anniversary of Clitheroe's 'French Connection' with Rivesaltes.

Each year, a football team from Clitheroe plays its French counterparts on alternate home or away turf.

But for one year - and for photographs only - the successful team will get the chance to 'win' the famous trophy.

A spokesperson for the 'French Connection' said: "Clitheroe's twinning with Rivesaltes began when Frenchman Francois Sanmartin worked as an exchange teacher at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School and played for the Waggon and Horses football team.

"When he returned to France in 1977 he invited a party of English friends to go over and play football. The following year a party of French players arrived in Clitheroe for the return fixture and, for the past 25 years, these matches have been repeated and many friendships developed along the way."