THE Entente Cordiale has been restored in Ferndown despite diplomatic relations breaking down earlier this year.

The town's twinning with Segr was under severe pressure when planned trips to France were cancelled for lack of support.

Twinners' French counterparts reacted angrily, cancelling a proposed trip of their dancers in a tit-for-tat retaliation.

In a bold bid to mend fences, the Brits invited themselves to the Bastille Day celebrations - a gesture which won round their hosts and resulted in appearances on French TV.

New chairman Doug Lock says the cancellation of the May visits had been down to misunderstandings over dates and accommodation.

"The twinning was getting into quite a poor state and it was in danger of disappearing," he said.

"It wasn't serious but it was serious enough to say 'we can't take the orchestra under those circumstances' and they said 'then you can't have the dancers'."

The long-standing chairman stepped down and Mr Lock stepped in.

"I emailed France saying 'we want to come and visit you with the mayor and the town clerk' and there was a new spirit," he said.

"The very fact that we took the town's representatives made a tremendous difference - twinning is run through the town hall in France and I think the French were a bit confused as to why weren't they dealing with the council.

"Those three days restored all the understanding and the natural amiability - we healed the breach.

"They wined us and dined us, feted us and asked us to make a speech at their presentation.

"We got on to national TV and into the press because an English delegate was celebrating Bastille Day with them.

"Hopefully our relationship with Segr is now a very good one.

"What we're looking forward to is developing links, not just between the retired affluent members, but between the organisations - particularly between the sports clubs and the schools."

In October 40 people from Ferndown will make a visit to Segr - a trip which will include a tour of champagne vineyards - and dancers from Segr will take part in a dance festival planned for the Dorset town in May.