A GRUELLING 1, 130 km (780 miles) relay run from Ettlingen to Clevedon finished at the Salthouse Field last Saturday morning.

A team of 20 runners from the German town, which is twinned with Clevedon, took seven days to complete the marathon relay.

The runners belong to the Ettlingen Lauftreff, which is one of the largest running clubs in southern Germany.

They also visited Clevedon's other twin towns of Epernay in France and Middelkerke in Belgium as they jogged across Europe.

Athletes from Clevedon Athletic Club and the Hash House Harriers joined the relay runners at Congresbury for the last leg of the journey.

The purpose of the visit was to bring an official invitation from the mayor of Ettlingen, Frau Gabriella Bussemaker, to attend the 30th anniversary celebrations of twinning between the two towns, which takes place in Ettlingen at the beginning of October.

The invitation was received at a buffet lunch reception in the town hall by the vice-chairman of Clevedon Town Council, Cllr Chris Blades.

The guests were then taken on a guided walking tour of the town, followed by a three-course dinner for 85 people at the Conservative Club in the evening.

Clevedon Town Council chairman Cllr Colin Hall, who was at the dinner, thanked the runners for the invitation, saying that he and other councillors, together with Clevedon Twinning Association members, would be delighted to attend the October celebrations.

The town council's official response was given to association representative Brian Chislett, who is embarking on a two-month sailing expedition to Ettlingen via rivers and canals.

Also during the dinner evening, a donation of 2,000 euro was made to the Curzon Cinema by Karin Herder-Gysser on behalf of the mayor. She was accompanied by Marcus Neuman, who is the manager of the Kulisse Cinema in Ettlingen. Curzon Cinema trustees Hilary Neale and Maurice Thornton received the gift and, in return, presented a 1948 projector and plaque to Herr Neuman.

The chairman of the twinning association, Janet Wildgoose, said: "This was a novel way to bring an invitation to Clevedon, and we can only applaud the runners for their grit and determination. And the generous donation made to the Curzon Cinema from our twin town is a marvellous gesture of friendship and I would like to thank everyone concerned. I would also like to thank the families who played host to the runners. This is twinning at its best. Now, of course, we are all very much looking forward to going to Ettlingen later in the year where, I know, we are going to be made very welcome."

There will be a coach running to Ettlingen from Clevedon for a trip from September 29 to October 5, and anyone wishing to get on board is asked to call Janet on 01275 877565.