It’s party time for Tendring Twinning Association.

The group, which has extended the hands of friendship across the channel to Europe, celebrates its 40th anniversary this week.

Some 100 visitors from Valence, Biberach and Swidnica arrive in Clacton today and seven cyclists have spent the past week pedalling 1,060kms from Valence for the weekend of celebrations.

The weekend is a milestone in the long-standing friendship between the four countries – France, Germany and Poland – and the visit has been tied in with one of Clacton’s busiest weekends so the visitors can enjoy the beer festival and bank holiday entertainment.

Clacton first twinned with Valence in 1969 after an approach from the French town, which wanted to twin with a coastal town in England. Valence was already twinned with Biberach and after many exchange visits to Valence, where Clactonians also met Valence’s other twinning partners, Tendring became twinned with Biberach in 1991 and then Swidnica, ten years ago.

Twinning chairman Bert Foster said: “The highlight over the years has been the lasting friendships which have developed.”