THE wheels of the relationship between Horwich and its twinned town are still firmly in motion.

Members of Horwich Cycle Club travelled to Wealden Cycle Club in Crowborough, East Sussex, and cycled together to mark the 25th anniversary of the arrangement being signed.

It is the first time that members of the two clubs have met and cycled with each other, and it is hoped that it will be the first of many.

The relationship between the towns was in doubt for a time when members of Crowborough Town Council suggested the partnership was no longer worthwhile.

They engineered a vote on the issue, but eventually it was decided the twinning relationship would continue.

Cllr Richard Silvester, Horwich North East councillor and former Mayor of Horwich, said it is hoped that members of the Wealden Cycle Club will come to Horwich next year to take part in the annual Festival of Racing event.

Neil Brown, Horwich Cycling Club, who also organises the Horwich Festival of Racing every year, said they saw a famous fellow rider along the way.

He said: "We cycled from London to Crowborough passing through Peckham, Beckenham, Biggin Hill, Edenbridge, a distance of 47 miles. We also saw another Mayor in London, Boris Johnson, on his bike. We waved but he did not wave back!"

On their journey the cyclists from Horwich also received a visit from Cllr Ron Reed, the Mayor of Crowborough, and they presented an engraved cup which will be awarded by Wealden Cycle Club at their discretion in future.

Mr Brown added: "It is difficult to describe the friendly hospitality which we received but we were all very grateful for the effort that they had put into our visit.

"We were also honoured with all being made affiliated members of Wealden Cycle Club, and an open affiliation card to any cyclist visiting the area from Horwich and District.

"We sincerely hope that members of Wealden Cycle Club will visit us in June 2016 for the Horwich Festival of Racing. A wonderful experience, we made a lot of new friends and we hope that the relationship between the two towns will continue to grow."

As part of the celebrations, Cllr Reed previously visited Horwich and was taken on trips around Rivington, to a service at Horwich Parish Church and to the Horwich Heritage Centre, and Cllr SIlvester also visited Crowborough for a carol concert last December.