More people are encouraged to make links with families abroad as Helston's twinning association prepares for another busy year.

Members of Helston and District Town Twinning Association's Plougasnou group held their annual general meeting last week to mark the end of their year and prepare for next year's activities.

These will include a summer visit to Helston's twin town of Plougasnou in Brittany, just over the French border, which is open to anyone in the town and surrounding area to take part in.

The market town of Plougasnou is in the bay of Morlaix, about 40 minutes away from Roscoff, with sailing transfers provided by Brittany Ferries from Plymouth.

It shares many similarities with Helston, with beaches, countryside and a weekly market, and residents are keen to make friends with their Cornish counterparts.

To help raise money for the visit the Helston association will be at various events in the coming weeks, including at the town's Christmas lights switch on this Friday, when members will have a stall in the Guildhall from 6pm selling mulled wine, mince pies and gifts.

They will also be at Hellys Craft Fair in the Old Cattle Market on December 10.

The group is hoping to create even more links with Plougasnou through youth exchanges and perhaps being able to repeat the success of theatre group Act 2’s visit several years ago with a visit by younger group Act 1.

There are also opportunities for exchanges between young people who want to spend time in Plougasnou with a family or get a summer job.

More information can be found on the group’s Facebook page 'Helston Plougasnou Twinning' and there are plans for a new website next year.

This year has seen a visit from the mayor of Plougasnou, Nathalie Bernard, accompanied by her son and another councillor, as well as others from the region who visited Stithians Show and enjoyed an evening with the Cadgwith Singers at the Old Cattle Market.