L’AMOUR is in the air between Wallingford and its estranged French twin town after councillors were invited to France to mark an important anniversary.

Former mayor Alec Hayton and his wife Pat, along with current mayor Dee Cripps have been invited to Luxeuil-les-Bains in September, to attend the anniversary of the liberation of the town by American forces in the Second World War.

Mr Hayton wanted to end the town’s 30 years of twinning after what he claimed were failed attempts to contact civic leaders in the French town.

He said school exchanges had not taken place for about 15 years, although former mayor Betty Atkins visited the town in eastern France in 1998.

The visit, between September 17 and 20, will be the first formal visit by Wallingford Town Council in more than 10 years.

Mr Hayton said: “I’m delighted. We’ve had an intermediary – a lady who lives not far away from here but was born in Luxeuil.

“When she read about this she telephoned the mayor of Luxeuil and asked if she could help.

“She’s not coming on the trip, but she’s offered help if there’s any translation issues.

“I believe the mayor has really been working very hard to try and keep their local airbase. He is also a member of the French Parliament.

“Had I realised he had a very busy agenda, I probably would have understood a little better.”

Mr Hayton added: “We are going out there to mend bridges, put a bit of sticking plaster on them.”

Ms Cripps said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be going. It’s brilliant news. Of course it will be my main objective to strengthen links with the town and I’m very glad all of this has been resolved.”

In April, a radio interview with the deputy mayor of Luxeuil raised hopes of the two towns’ relationship being salvaged.

Fabienne Deloul told BBC Radio 4's PM programme: “For us 2009 is a year for getting back in touch with Wallingford.”

The upset triggered a flurry of twinning offers from four other French towns wanting to be twinned with Wallingford.

wallingford@oxfordmail.co.uk