PENRYN Twinning Association is going from strength to strength as they marked the 45th anniversary with their twin town of Audierne, France, last week.

Accommodated by local families, the guests from Brittany enjoyed a full programme of events laid on by their Penryn counterparts.

It included a visit to Pencarrow House, near Bodmin, which proved a testing time for the French coach driver who was forced to reverse two miles down a country lane after his satnav took him down the wrong road.

There was a free day with host families, followed by a tea dance and a rendition from singers Eight in a Bar.

The main business of the visit was highlighted by a civic reception in the town hall, where Penryn mayor Shelley Peters officially welcomed the group and exchanged goodwill messages with Audierne mayor Jo Evenat.

A Hollywood theme was set for the evening entertainment and on the Sunday a luncheon followed by the departure to Plymouth for the overnight ferry.

With the decline of pubs, clubs and churches, these social activities are crucial to community structure.