APPLAUSE filled the council chamber last week, when Mayor Junab Ali announced a prestigious honour for one of Swindon's councillors.

Councillor Kevin Small, who represents Mannington & Western ward in the centre of town is chairman of the local authority's town twinning committee.

And both he and Coun Ali have been asked to visit Salzgitter , Swindon's twin town in Germany for Coun Small to receive the city's Gold Medal of Honour

Mayor Ali said: "The honour was in recognition of all the work Coun Small has done in promoting the twinning links between Swindon and Salzgitter over the years."

"I shall be pleased to go with him to receive the award."

Swindon has been twinned with Salzgitter, a city in Lower Saxony south west of Hanover in central northern Germany since 1975. It is an industrial citywith a large iron and steel works and a Volkswagen car plant as well as other engineering companies.

It was chosen as a twin for Swindon due to its industrial heritage.

Other links forged by councillors include Coun Ali meeting the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on a recent visit to that country and hosting the governor of the Kenyan county of Embu.

Coun Ali said: "The governor was very interested and is coming back to Swindon for investment purposes.

The Bangladesh Prime Minister will visit Swindon next time he's in the UK"