Britain might be out of step with Europe politically, but at a personal level ordinary Bradford people continue to build bridges with their counterparts in various European cities via the Bradford Twin Towns Association.

The association's annual meeting at City Hall heard from outgoing president Glyn Roberts who said that last year a 24-strong party from the German city of Mnchen Gladbach came to stay in members' homes, while a return trip is planned for October.

Last summer 27 members from Bradford visited Roubaix in France, another of Bradford's twin towns. And next month the association will play host to 29 visitors from Verviers in Belgium.

"Bradford needs more people to become interested in twin towning," said acting secretary Peter Berry. "There's no finer way to get to know a country and its people than by living in their homes, allowing them to live in yours on return visits and making friends with like-minded people."

The Telegraph & Argus trophy, awarded annually for work towards "twinning", was this year presented by Reader Relations Editor Mike Priestley, left, to Bingley Grammar School where the languages department has been collaborating with schools in Shipley's twin town of Hamm, Germany.

It was received by brother and sister Lee and Kim Slocombe, who have both taken part in exchange visits. They are pictured with Mr Roberts and, right, Mr John Paterson, head of Bingley Grammar School.

To call Bradford Twin Towns Association, ring (01274) 585449 or (0113) 2577719.