A COUNCIL which has won awards for town twinning is taking the first steps to extending its continental links.

Rossendale Mayor Coun Peter Heyworth and the Mayor of Engels in Russia have exchanged letters which could lead to formal East-West links. Now Rossendale's town twinning forum wants a representative of the Rossendale-Russia Association to sit on the sub-committee.

The association was set up after an approach in 1996 from the town of Engels, part of Saratov on the banks of the Volga. Association member Coun Dick Stuart told the forum that formal links between the two areas, shelved because of a change of administration in the Russian town, had been revived by the new mayor. He said the latest letter invited Coun Heyworth to sign an agreement of co-operation between the two councils.

A decision on whether to twin with Engels will need to be made by the full council and could depend on cost. But the forum was told there might be grant aid for the initial setting up.

A link with another country could push Rossendale further up the European ladder.

Last year the borough was awarded the Flag of Honour from the Council of Europe for its town twinning work and councillors would like to bid for the next award - the Plaque of Honour.

Borough leisure director Arthur Marriott will compile a report for the next forum. He said the borough would have to show links beyond those with its German twin town of Bocholt to qualify for the plaque and the ultimate annual European Prize.

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