BUDDING young travellers across Bridport are being invited to visit a family event and consider making a trip to France.

The Bridport and Saint-Vaast Twinning Association (BSTA), created in 1979, is hosting a family-fun day in Bucky Doo Square on Saturday, July 2 between 10am and 3pm.

The concept of twin towns dates back to the Second World War, and sees two areas across Europe paired together to encourage people across the continent to meet, mix and embrace other cultures.

The BSTA offer bursaries for Bridport students to visit Saint-Vaast and find hosts in Bridport for French students. The association is supported by a conversation group with a native French speaker. French students are hosted in Bridport on alternative years.

Spokesman for BSTA, Jonathan Bourbon said: "The event next month is a chance for people to come along and discover our twin-town bursary opportunity.

"Those who are interested can visit Bridport's twin town of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue.

"Saint-Vaast is in the Manche department in Normandy in north-western France."

The town square event early next month will feature music, morris dancers and stalls.

Mr Bourbon added: "We have a host of bands playing include Bug Tree Swamp - a four-piece, and Jurassic Ska Band.

"There will be two other musical combos that day - Three's a Crowd as well as Dave Rickard.

"There will be Lyme morris men in action along with a static French Army Jeep, and of course bric-a-brac stalls."

The BSTA has enjoyed more than 40 years of exchange visits to the northern French town.

Saint-Vaast is a working fishing port in the unspoilt Manche department, Normandy region.

The town is close to the Second World War's Normandy landing beaches and about an hour's drive from Cherbourg.

Much like Bridport being part of the World Heritage Site the Jurassic Coast, Saint-Vaast's Vauban Towers is also a classed as a World Heritage Site.

For more information on the BSTA, contact: lindabtd6@aol.com.

Alternatively contact 01308 425664