CELEBRATIONS are starting early for one of the oldest twinning arrangements between Britain and Germany -- Rossendale's link with Bocholt.

The Lancashire borough and its twin German city have been officially linked for 50 years and to mark the occasion a party of Friends of Bocholt accompanied by Britannia Coconutters and Stacksteads Band are leaving tomorrow for the carnival in Germany.

Secretary of the Friends Tim Nuttall said: "There are 51 of us going which is the first time in several years that we have had a full coach to the carnival.

"The Friends have commissioned a special plaque, measuring 4ft by 4ft and hand-carved out of beech wood.

"Carved on it is the symbol of Bocholt, a beech tree, and the Rossendale hills and it is to mark the golden jubilee of our twinning arrangement.

"We will be presenting it as soon as we arrive and then it will be officially unveiled on Saturday in the old town hall in Bocholt where they have already set aside a special place for it to go on display."

While in Germany the Friends of Bocholt will be staying with host families, but the Coconutters wanted to stay together and so have booked into a hotel.

They will be joining a club in Bocholt to take part in the carnival on Monday and will be on board a float.

Tim said: "We will be in top hats and tails for the carnival and whereas before we have taken our own float now we find it easier to join one of the groups over there."Tim, who has been going to Bocholt for about 30 years said the Friends' fund-raising activities throughout the year help to pay for the plaque and the giveaways, but the members all pay their own travel expenses.

Coconutter Andrew Holt, who is also a black pudding maker and owns RS Ireland in Waterfoot, is hoping to twin with a German butcher and make black puddings while he is over there and invite his 'twin' to Rossendale to make a German delicacy.

It is also hoped a contingent from Bocholt will help launch the Rossendale Valley Motorbike Show on September 22.