Today's archive story goes back 15 years to a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the twinning of Helensburgh with the French town of Thouars.

Here's how we reported the milestone in the Advertiser on September 11, 2003...

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THE 20th anniversary of the twinning of Helensburgh with Thouars was celebrated with a visit to the French town.

Forty people travelled to Thouars in Poitou-Charentes in July to commemorate two decades of friendship and association, and were treated to a week of activities and hospitality by the Jumelage Committee,

including wine tasting and a picnic.

At an official dinner the Helensburgh visitors presented the Mayor of Thouars with a painting from the Art Club and in turn received a collage depicting different events since 1983, which they hope to hang in the Victoria Halls.

A spokesperson for the group said: “It was great, the hospitality there is always fantastic and they made sure we had a good time.

“Many bonds have been made between the two towns and many long-lasting friendships between families and different groups which is excellent.”

Members of the twinning committee are pictured with the anniversary collage.