THE Royston Town Twinning Association has recently returned from a successful trip to its newest twin town – Spain’s Villanueva de la Canada.

Talks about a link with the town, which is 30 miles from Madrid and a similar size to Royston, have been ongoing for over a year.

A team of seven town twinners travelled to Spain last week though to all but complete the partnership.

A group of town councillors will now visit the town later in the summer to sign documents and make it official.

Former Royston town mayor Cllr Martin Beaver was amongst those that travelled and he spoke of the warm reception he and the others received.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better welcome that the one we got,” said Cllr Beaver, who learnt Spanish for the trip.

“Everyone was so accommodating, so friendly and so keen to show us their wonderful town and in turn learn about Royston.

“They have been approached by several other towns in England, including Worcester, to be their twin town, so we are honoured that we have made the link.

“I knew it was a fantastic place, but enjoyed my time so much I considered staying!”

During the visit, Villanueva de la Canada was celebrating the annual San Isidro festival – a celebration of the local patron saint.

They were also marking 5 years of their twinning with the French town of Le Vesinet.

Twinners were given a civic reception, went on a mass precession, shown round the town’s university and went on a day trip to Salamanca.

The unveiling of a sign post at the entrance to the town where Royston will soon be displayed was also unveiled.