A WEEK-long visit to Lymm by a group of 40 French people is the latest in a 37-year-long link.

The village has been linked to Meung-sur-Loire since 1968 and a group of more than 40 French visitors arrived in Lymm yesterday, Wednesday, for a five-day stay.

The group will stay with families in Lymm and will include Mayor Christian Coute and his wife Monique who live in Meung, which is located in the Loire Valley.

Peter Birchall, president of the Lymm twin town society, said that the links began with a chance visit to the Spread Eagle pub by a French Air Force officer attached to the US Air Force in Burtonwood.

He added: "Since then, each year groups of 40 to 60 people have stayed in alternate years in each others' homes.

"Many long-lasting friendships have been made, some in spite of difficulties with the other language, and there has even been one marriage of a girl from Lymm and a young man from Meung."

The party was due to arrive at Manchester Airport as the Warrington Guardian was going to press, ahead of a packed week of activities.

This will include a reception with representatives from Lymm Parish Council, a visit to Tatton Park in Knutsford and the official reception and dinner at Lymm High School.

Parish council chairman Clr Rita Cochrane will officially welcome the group to Lymm.

The group will leave the village on Sunday evening.