CIVIC guests said ‘C’est la vie’ after a broken down coach and a four hour queue at Customs disrupted a trip across the Channel.

But it didn’t spoil the annual visit to Weymouth and Portland’s twin town of Louviers.

Thirty six members of the Weymouth & Portland Louviers Society visited the Normandy market town near Rouen, which the borough has been twinned with since 1958.

On the way over, they had to wait five hours in the terminal café after their coach broke down at Calais, until a decision was made to put them up in a local hotel.

The coach company eventually arranged a replacement coach and the journey to Louviers continued the next morning.

There were more difficulties at Calais on the return journey, when UK immigration officials insisted on checking all passports, resulting in a four hour queue into the port.

Society chairman Cath Irving said: “In between the dramas at Calais, we all enjoyed a very good weekend in our twin town of Louviers, full of delights, warmth and friendship.

“The civic reception on Saturday night was a mix of lovely food, wine and dancing.

“Sunday, we were treated to a trip down the River Seine with both French and English commentary, to say nothing of more food and wine.”

For the newly elected Mayor of Louviers, Francois-Xavier Priollaud, it was his first time greeting the Weymouth delegation, led by Mayor Kate Wheller.

Cath Irving added: “It was a pleasure to meet Francois-Xavier Pouillard and his wife, also to renew our friendship with First Deputy Mayor Anne Terlez, who visited us in June.

“Anne brought her husband and young family. We hope the youth of France will continue to form close friendships with our young people.”

A glass bowl was presented to Doris Eastwood by the Mayor of Louviers, to mark her 30 years service as Honorary Town Crier of Louviers.