A FESTIVE gesture of goodwill between a North-East city and its Scandinavian twin will be repeated next month.
For the 55th successive year, civic leaders in Bergen, Norway, have sent a Christmas tree from the Fana Forest to Newcastle.
The 20ft tree will be decorated in white lights, a Norwegian tradition, and displayed outside Newcastle Civic Centre.
The Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Councillor George Douglas, and the former Lord Mayor of Bergen, Anne-Grete Strm-Erichsen, will officially turn on the lights at a ceremony on Thursday, December 2, at 5.30pm.
Coun Douglas said: "Newcastle has enjoyed a close friendship with the people of Bergen for many years and continues to develop strong cultural and commercial links.
"I would like to welcome Councillor Strm-Erichsen and her husband to Newcastle to share this special occasion and, on behalf of the city, I would like to wish the people of Bergen a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."
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