Otley'S mayor has helped forge international links after taking part in a French town's twinning celebrations.

Councillor Betty Bevan, part of a five strong delegation from the town, spent a weekend in Otley's twin Montereau as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations.

And also taking part in the celebrations were 12 members of the Otley Twinning Association who were in France on their annual exchange trip.

During their stay, Coun Bevan, the town clerk and two other town councillors, toured Montereau's flourishing industry, saw how it handled tourism and witnessed an international juniors football match including Otley Town FC.

In France, just before the announcement that London had beaten Paris in the bid to stage the 2012 Olympics, Coun Bevan said they had been careful to keep off the subject.

"We were also careful not to mention anything to do with the EU subsidy and didn't say anything while we were there," she said.

The town, just south of Paris, invited not only Otley, but also its other twin towns in Germany, Turkey, Portugal and new twin town in Morocco.

Coun Bevan said: "I was pleased to represent all of Otley at the international meeting with our twinned town.

"I believe that the meetings help to provide not just friendships across Europe, but make real opportunities for the town's business community to expand contacts and learn from the experiences of others.

"I hope that the mutual appreciation between the communities will continue to foster contacts for the next 25 years."

The trip included one day devoted to business with each town speaking about its economy and any possible problems.

Other towns talked about how old industries had moved away from Europe leaving people having to come up with new ways of making revenue.

At a formal civic event, international twinning was marked with the signing of documents and Coun Bevan presented the French mayor with an inscribed glass tablet.

The celebrations were closed with an international football match in the town's football stadium for 11 to 15-year-olds with every country, except Germany, represented.

Coun Bevan said: "The skills from all the teams were impressive, although the heat was certainly a factor for our local boys. That night, the Turkish and Moroccan communities in Montereau hosted relaxed dinner for all the teams and the officials which rounded off an excellent day."

Ken Daphne, chairman of Otley Twinning Association, said the trip had been a great success.

"We had three international days in Montereau with the civic party, but most of us stayed for just under a week," he said.

"We thoroughly enjoyed it, then we always do. We stay with families and not hotels like the civic group did.

"Hopefully this will encourage more people to join us - we're always looking for people who would be willing to have French people to stay in their houses."

l Anyone interested in joining the twinning association should attend its monthly meetings held on the second Wednesday of every month from 8pm at The Grove Hill Social Club, Otley, or telephone Ken Daphne on 01943 465137 or Hilda Morgan on 01943 464826.