A WREATH was laid in Nonancourt, Normandy, on behalf of the Earls Colne Twinning Association in what is hoped to be a new annual tradition.

The wreath’s message, which read “To the memory of the people of Nonancourt and of Earls Colne who died for their country”.

The two villages which have been twinned since 1975.

Virginie Adrast, the chair of the Nonancourt Twinning Association, laid the wreath at the Armistice Day Ceremony.

She said: "Merci à vous d avoir pensé d être aussi avec nous aujourd'hui", which translates to "Thank you to you all, for thinking of being with us on this day too."

Apart from during the pandemic, the two villages have had an exchange weekend every year, with members of the Earls Colne Twinning association staying in Nonancourt with a French family during odd-numbered years, and the reverse happening in even-numbered years.

Many of the families have, therefore, grown up together over the decades, strengthening the historic bond between France and Britain as well as the relationship between the two villages.

Like in Britain, French towns and villages have a ceremony at their war memorial every year on Armistice Day, to remember those who gave their lives in defence of their country.