The French flag was flying high when visitors arrived in the town for a special celebration.

Bridport Twinning Association marked 40 years of its relationship with twin town, St Vaast-la-Hougue, by welcoming visitors from the French town earlier this month.

The group enjoyed Bridport market and visited the LSi, where Trevor Warne gave an account of the history and resurrection of the building, before they were given a historic walking tour of the town by Bruce Upton, who gave his commentary in French.

Organisers of Bridport Food Festival offered the guests free entry into the event, with complimentary tea and cake, and they enjoyed all the local produce on offer.

Visitors also joined a service at St Mary’s Church, led by the Rev’d Deb Smith, following which they were invited to Bridport Museum, where Glenda and David Willis had volunteered to open it on a Sunday morning, and saw a demonstration of ropemaking.

Following a welcome cry from town crier John Collingwood, the party enjoyed a civic reception at the town hall where gifts were exchanged and speeches honouring the 40th anniversary were given by Moniqur Pasche, the twinning association president, mayor of Bridport Cllr Barry Irvine, Daniel Simon, deputy mayor of St Vaast, Mike Farmer and Madeleine Pinteaux - the two chairmen of the twinning associations - and town clerk Will Austin.

A communal meal was organised at the church house, supplied by Hungry Mule and hosting families, with entertainment from singer Chris Deacon.

Mike Farmer, chairman of the Bridport and St Vaast Twinning Association, said: “So many people contributed to what was a thoroughly enjoyable and much appreciated weekend. We are greatly looking forward to our return visit to St Vaast in September.”