CARING cops have a request from the mayor of the Romanian town they visited on a mercy mission - will you twin your town with ours?

The 13 Lancashire Constabulary volunteers were asked by Hateg mayor Ioan Glodeanu to help forge stronger links with East Lancashire.

Sgt Mick Amos, of Blackburn Police, said: "They are looking at strengthening the links and, if possible, twin with a town in East Lancashire.

"I think they are looking to develop a closer relationship in time for the summer festival to mark 100 years of their town."

The police took 100 tonnes of aid, such as food and medical supplies, to orphanages and hospitals in the poverty-hit Transylvanian region of Romania.

It was their seventh in a successful series of trips to the country, which started when the officers saw the plight of Romanian people on TV during the Ceausescu regime.

A Blackburn with Darwen Council spokesman said the borough was already twinned with Altena, Germany, and Peronne, France, but was always looking to forge links with towns around the world.

He added that the council would be happy to talk to the police about developing closer ties with the Romanian town.

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