Lots of old friendships were renewed and new friendships made during the week-long stay in Forfar by the party from the twin-town of Chabanais.

The visitors were hosted by families in Forfar and the surrounding area, with a full programme of trips and activities organised by members of the local twinning association.

The visit began with a tour of the new Forfar Guide Dog Centre in Orchardbank Industrial Park, an outing the next day taking the French visitors to Meigle Museum, with fruit picking and a picnic at McLaren's fruit farm, followed by a barbecue.

The week-long programme also included a day-trip to Glasgow, an opportunity for shopping in Forfar town centre and a meeting with Angus Provost Ruth Leslie Melville in the Canmore Room, a visit to Arbroath and an outing to nearby Glamis Castle.

A highly enjoyable social evening was staged in the Northmuir Hall, Kirriemuir, and on Monday, the day before the departure for the return journey to Chabanais, there was an outing north to the Edradour Distillery, followed by lunch and shopping in Pitlochry.

Agnes McKay of the Forfar-Chabanais Twinning Association, said it had been another very successful exchange trip, with the weather failing to interfere too much with the programme.

"The two wettest periods were the Tuesday afternoon and the Friday morning, which co-incided with indoor events such as the visit to the Guide Dog Centre and a reception with the provost in the Canmore Room."