REVELLERS gathered to celebrate 50 years of partnership between Colchester and Wetzlar in Germany.

Colchester Twinning Society hosted a banquet for nearly 100 guests at Colchester Town Hall to mark the special anniversary.

Nigel Hildreth, chairman of Colchester Twinning Society, said: "This banquet was to show the friendship between the two towns and was attended by 20 German guests, from the civic council in Wetzlar, from the town's German English society as well as young musicians from Wetzlar Musikschule and members of the Wetzlar Photographic Society.

"In addition two guests representing the German embassy took part in the festivities.

"During the meal a slide show displaying photographs from past visits to Wetzlar as well as more recent images was on constant view. Both the Wetzlar and the Colchester Photographic Society had contributed to this display."

Musical performances came from Colne Valley Orchestra, Dinah Burhr and Stephen Evans, Mary and Patrick McCarthy and then Ms Buhr and Timon Meisner.

At the end of the meal special cake was cut and thanks were given to the organisers of the event.