BOLTON'S German twin town is planning one of the country's biggest-ever celebrations of Britain and the British way of life.

And Bolton folk will be at the heart of the festival in Paderborn.

More than 100 ambassadors from Bolton will be travelling out to Paderborn to take part in the cultural extravaganza which plans to celebrate everything about the British way of life.

Both whisky and tea will play their parts in the event along with other such famous British institutions as theatre and music hall.

Cllr Cliff Morris, chairman of Bolton's town twinning committee, said: "Paderborn has assembled an extremely ambitious programme ranging from operetta to pop and marching bands.

"Virtually all the cultural aspects of our way of life will be represented during the festival and, of course, there will be a strong Bolton flavour to things."

Among those who will be travelling to Germany, are Bolton Youth Choir, Bolton Scottish Pipe Band who will be playing at various venues throughout Paderborn during the Festival week, Bolton Little Theatre members who will be presenting The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde and Two by Jim Cartwright and Bolton group The Winchesters a western swing/country crossover band featuring versatile pianist Andrew Stone.

Gil Riley from Bolton College will be cooking up a taste of some typical British dishes in the Ratskeller Restaurant and Mr Albert Hornby, Chairman of the Bolton Anglo-German Club will be giving a lecture.

Victorian afternoon teas are included on the programme and members of the Youth Choir will be donning Victorian aprons made by Bolmoor, Bolton Council's workshops, as they serve at the afternoon teas.

The Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre will also be taking the famous "dram of life" for the Germans to sample and a number of paintings have already been sent to Paderborn by Bolton Museum and Library Service.

"This is going to be a great event, a one-off promoting our culture and encouraging better understanding and friendship between the two countries. A similar festival in Paderborn last year featured Hungary, and was a huge success. Hopefully we can repeat it.

Cllr Morris added: "A lot of schools and other organisations in Bolton have held exchanges and other events over the years and everyone has profited with all of us getting to know each other better.

We are delighted to have been involved."

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