A SOUTH Lakeland town is to stage a host of celebratory events to mark 10 years of twinning with its Slovenian counterpart.

Sedbergh has been twinned with Zre?e since 2005 when its residents were given the chance to vote on which European country they would tie the ceremonial knot with.

Broadcast on BBC Two in a series of 12 programmes called The Town Wants a Twin, the Slovenian community successfully tried its hand to woo the people of Sedbergh - beating off competition from Austria, France and Cyprus.

"Some people say we should have twinned with a country like France where the children could learn the language but there's more to it than that - it's a cultural thing and children get to meet people from a completely different background," said Susan Garnett, secretary of the Town Twinning Group. "We've been exchanging musical groups and you don't need language for that. We made the right decision."

During the last decade the two towns have had many exchanges with groups going over every two years, and one group has just returned from celebrations in Slovenia.

"The highlight is that we've been exchanging pupils at the age of 14 right from the beginning which has been a real eye opener for them - visiting a former communist country which suffered atrocities and they have been very moved by it," added Ms Garnett. "It's a great country and when we go over so many people will stop us in the street, there's always a terrific reception and we're always laden with gifts.

"When they come here we take them into our homes and hearts."

And as well as 'a great many' friendships building with those abroad, Ms Garnett said the twinning had brought the community of Sedbergh together.

This month a group of 30 Zre?e students, teachers, musicians and Mayor Boris Podsvrsnik are visiting from June 28 to July 3.

As part of the festivities a concert of music from both communities will be held in St Andrew’s Parish Church on June 29 at 7pm.

There will be an evening of British and Slovenian folk music at the People's Hall on June 30 at 7.30pm.

Sedbergh will also play host to a visit from the Slovenian Ambassador Tadej Rupel.

For further information contact Susan Garnett on 015396 21138.