THE ball has already started rolling to make the most of Ledbury's twinning with the Swedish town of Strmstad.

While the official signing of the association takes place at the town council meeting tonight, the young Ledbury Swift footballers will be thinking of their imminent match abroad.

The town's team has been invited to take part in the tournament, which is in memory of a Strmstad boy who died in a road accident.

A swimming competition in Sweden is also in the offing, along with a trip for up to 30 young people.

Ledbury has been keen to extend the advantages of the twinning to the whole community, encouraging businesses, schools, churches and organisations to get involved in projects.

Mayor Spencer Lane said he was confident that the joining of the two towns would be a successful initiative bringing positive rewards for tourism.