DIGNITARIES from a French town will arrive in the county next week to sign an official twinning agreement.

A ceremony will be held to mark the twinning of St Aubin du Cormier, in Brittany, and Richmond.

John Culpan, secretary of Richmond Town Twinning Association, said: "Twinning is a marvellous way for people here to make connections with French people living in a similar town, especially as Richmond was founded by a Breton, Alan Rufus."

St Aubin was chosen because it is a rural market town on a rocky crest. Pierre de Dreux, the eighth Earl of Richmond, also built a castle in the French town in 1223, taking inspiration from Richmond Castle.

A dozen guests from St Aubin, including the mayor, will arrive next Thursday.

They will stay with local families and visit attractions such as the castle, the old station and Easby Abbey.

They will have lunch at the King's Head, see a production of The 39 Steps at the Zetland Centre and go on a tour of Swaledale.

Councillor Stuart Parsons will take the mayor of St Aubin to the Richmond Meet dinner.

The guests will also visit Richmond Methodist Primary School.

Richmond already has a twinning agreement with Nord-Fron Kommune, in Norway.