CONTROVERSIAL plans to twin Horsforth with another European town are still a possibility, despite negative feedback from some residents.

Horsforth Town Council chairman Councillor Bernie Coleman originally floated the idea a couple of months ago, but some townsfolk were against the idea, claiming that twinning was just an excuse for councillors to have free

foreign holidays at taxpayers' expense.

But Coun Coleman said he is still keen on the idea and said it was not an excuse for a holiday and said that there are many benefits, including looking at foreign systems in areas like traffic calming and park and ride schemes.

"Horsforth School has successfully twinned with a German school for 20 years and I am keen to build on those links," he said. "I also want older people, not just youngsters, to benefit from this."

Coun Coleman also said that he had not ruled out the possibility of Horsforth having a town mayor, but said that it was important for the town council's money to be spent on the community, rather than ceremonial positions.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.