International friendship-links were renewed when St Albans Mayor welcomes Wormser Kantorei to the city ahead of a joint concert with St Albans Chamber Choir.

The two choirs will give a concert at St Albans Cathedral on Saturday, April 11 celebrating the strong twin town links.

Councillor Geoff Harrison, Mayor of St Albans City and District hosted a special reception for the two choirs at the Civic Centre on Wednesday, April 8.

During the reception, the Mayor presented Wormser Kantorei's chairman, Hubert Listmann, with a certificate to acknowledge his outstanding contribution to the town-twinning between St Albans and Worms since 1989.

Mr Listmann was also honoured earlier this year by his home city with a Service Medal in recognition of his work for both the choir and the partnership.

St Albans was twinned with the German town of Worms over 50 years ago and the St Albans Worms Partnership celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

St Albans Chamber Choir and the Wormser Kantorei have shared concerts and exchange visits every two years since 1969. They will perform Mozart's Mass in C Minor at their latest joint concert.

Councillor Harrison said: "It was wonderful to see so many happy faces as people exchanged news with old friends and met new ones.

"I want to thank everyone whose enthusiasm and commitment make these relationships so vibrant and meaningful.

"In particular, I congratulate Mr Hubert Listmann for his enormous contribution to the establishment and development of these rich friendship-links over the last 25 years."