‘LONG live France, long live England and long live the twinning association.’ That was the heart-warming salute given at an event to mark more than 50 years of twinning links.

The borough of Weymouth and Portland has been twinned with Louviers in Normandy, France, since 1958.

Every Whitsun since, a delegation headed by the mayor of Louviers – or their first deputy – has visited the borough to celebrate and mark the treaty of perpetual friendship.

In one of her final engagements as Mayor of Weymouth and Portland, Anne Kenwood welcomed the mayors and mayoresses from Louviers and Portland.

This year Mayor of Louviers Franck Martin, who has been his town’s first citizen for 15 years, and Mayoress Guislaine Martin visited with 37 others from France.

On their first night the mayor and mayoress were entertained by Councillor Kenwood and the mayor’s escort – her son Christopher – who took them to dinner at the Abbey House Hotel, Abbotsbury.

Coun Kenwood said: “I’m very lucky to have hosted two visits from Louviers during my year of office and was fortunate to go to Louviers last August.

“The French people are wonderful. I believe the twinning is very advantageous to us. The French love to come to Weymouth and Portland. They return as tourists and tell more people – who help to fill our hotels and guesthouses.”

It was revealed at the twinning dinner at Weymouth College’s Cygnets Restaurant that one of the party travelling over, a headteacher of a French school, is interested in setting up a link with a Weymouth school.

The delegation toured the area during their weekend visit, including the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

Coun Kenwood, who made a speech at the twinning dinner in fluent French, said: “The visit is of great value to all of us, increasing the friendship between England and France.

“As our friendship continues, so our twinning association develops. Vive la France, vive l‘Angleterre, vive l’association.”