MICKEY takers in Swindon now have something to smile about as the town becomes the first in the world to be officially twinned with Walt Disney World.

The town was hand picked to be twinned with the Florida theme park, thanks to the creative mind of mortgage adviser Rebecca Warren.

Miss Warren, 20, from Upper Stratton, was yesterday named as the winner of a national competition to compete for the official status of being twinned with the world’s most famous theme park.

The win means the town will soon get new signs saying it is now twinned with Disney World along with current twinned towns of Salzgitter in Germany, Ocotal in Nicaragua and Torun in Poland.

Miss Warren will also travel to the theme park next year to unveil a plaque at the entrance of the park saying it is now twinned with Swindon.

Miss Warren, who works for Nationwide, said: “I still cannot believe that my entry has been selected – it’s fantastic.

“We got the call yesterday morning and me and my mum couldn’t stop screaming.

“I think there are a lot of similarities between Swindon and Walt Disney World – the friendly atmosphere, the fact that there is always something new and exciting in the town and all the famous people we have coming to gig here.

“I am so thrilled – this is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

“What a great opportunity for Swindon, we’ll definitely welcome the Disney magic.

“It will be so exciting to see Swindon’s name alongside Walt Disney World on the sign in Florida.

“My wish was always to be Cinderella with a beautiful ball gown, so I’m really looking forward to dressing the part for the twinning ceremony in January.”

More than 500 people from across the UK nominated their home towns, but Miss Warren’s entry, a video slideshow of the town with a poem she had written, wowed the judges and brought home the winner’s crown.

Swindon beat off the likes of Blackpool, Aberdeen, Chester, Milton Keynes and Wigan to win the official title and a magical twinning party which will take place in the town next month.

Swindon will now also be featured in the United Kingdom Pavilion at the World Showcase at the Epcot theme park for the whole of next year.

As part of her prize, Miss Warren will jet off to Florida with her nephew Aaron, 11 and niece Amy, five, to meet Mickey Mouse and unveil the ‘Walt Disney World Twinned with Swindon’ plaque.

The Walt Disney Community Relations team will also embark on a community outreach programme with Swindon Borough Council officials, following the official twinning in January.

Hugh Wood of Disney Destinations International said: “Britain clearly has a love for Walt Disney World and long-standing affinity with the parks and their magic, which is probably why the number and quality of entries received was so high, making it very difficult to pick a winner.

“However, Rebecca’s video really stood out.

“Her local pride and creative approach, coupled with her obvious knowledge of Walt Disney World just made the difference.

“We’re looking forward to building a friendly and magical relationship with our new twin, Swindon.”