CELEBRATIONS were in full swing as the mayor of Tavistock joined thousands of people at the 30th Niedersachsentag festival in Celle, Germany.

Cllr David Whitcomb was invited to the event to represent Tavistock as one of Celle's ten twin towns. The mayor of each town gave a short speech to an audience of more than 6,000.

The Niedersachsentag festival (Lower Saxony Day) brought together families and people of all ages, and included a procession in traditional costumes led by Cllr Whitcomb, and a street party for which the town itself closes down. The festival, held once every five years to celebrate the town and surrounding area, is televised throughout the country.

Cllr Whitcomb was presented with a picture and a bottle of wine, and is planning to invite the new Bürgermeister (German mayor) Dirk-Ulrich Mende, and his civic delegation to the Tavistock Civic Ball next year.