A GROUP of delegates have travelled to Germany to celebrate its European ties.

On February 9, members of the Bracknell Leverkusen Twinning Association, which was founded in 1973, visited the town in north-west Germany, along with representatives of Leverkusen's other twin towns in eastern Germany.

The trip marked the celebration of the towns history, which was hosted by the Opladen History Society, their sponsors and supporters, and attended by the town mayor.

Bracknell Town Mayor, Councillor Sandra Ingham met with the Lord Mayor of Leverkusen to reflect on the centenary of the end of World War One.

Representatives from Leverkusen's twin towns of Julich, Schwedt, Villeneueve d'Ascq and Ratibor were also there to welcome the Bracknell delegation.

Bracknell Town Mayor Cllr Sandra Ingham, said: " This weekend has been an important occasion to reflect and learn from the tragic past of WW1 and to share and appreciate other countries perspectives presented by Leverkusen and its twin towns.

"It rests firmly on all our shoulders and the shoulders of the younger generation to continue to cement and develop European co-operation, partnership and friendship."

Since the past four years, the Opladen History society has researched the history of the first World War resulting in the launch of an exhibition and 640 page publication, 'Endings of WW1 in the European Homelands'.

This demonstrated how the war progressed in seven Leverkusen twin towns.

The Lord Mayor of Leverkusen Uwe Richrath, said: "When we come together here in memory of the World Wars, we all stand for European cohesion, a European cohesion, a European sense of community which is one pretty modern invention."

Bracknell Twinning Association works with Leverkusen to arrange regular visits to their partner towns.