LINKS between Dorchester and its French twin-town of Bayeux are expected to stay strong.

The two towns have been officially linked for 65 years with a recent visit to France by the Dorchester-Bayeux Twinning society to mark the anniversary.

Mayor of Dorchester, Cllr Robin Potter, accompanied a group of 35 members of the society, who were entertained in the homes of friends old and new from the Société Bayeux-Dorchester.

During the visit the Mayor of Bayeux , M. Patrick Gomond gave a civic reception at which he and Mayor Robin Potter emphasised both town's commitment to twinning.

Dorchester-Bayeux twinning chairman Gareth Jones and Dorchester Mayor Cllr Robin Potter at the wreath laying in Bayeux

The chairmen of the two twinning societies both said that getting young people engaged is crucial to the future of twinning.

During the weekend the English guests visited various places of interest including the famous Bayeux Tapestry museum, The British Normandy memorial to 22,442 who fell during the capture of Normandy, and the Museum of D-Day landings.

Before returning to England the Mayor laid a wreath at the Bayeux Commonwealth cemetery where soldiers from the Dorset Regiments are remembered.

Cllr Potter told a town council meeting that all of the gravestones in the cemetery had recently been renewed and said he found the visit there a moving one.