RESIDENTS of Darlington's twin town in Germany are providing a gift to mark more than half a century of cultural links between the two.

The people of Mulheim an der Ruhr are donating a bench for Darlington's North Lodge Park. The cast-iron bench was provided by the Mulheim town twinning association.

It will have a plaque, including a message acknowledging the 51-year link between the towns. The first town twinning exchange took place in 1953. The bench will be put in place next year.