DARWEN Town Council will spend £150 on Gambian flags and bunting to be used alongside the official twinning ceremony with Lamin later this month.

An official twinning ceremony will take place in the African country on January 24, with the Gambian president expected to attend.

The twinning, backed by the town council, came on the back of charity trips to the area by officials from youth football club Darwen Spartans.

During last year’s visit, the ‘AlKalo’ – the equivalent to the local mayor – was given a Darwen Tower replica by youngsters from the club and in turn asked whether the town’s could be twinned.

In Darwen, a celebration event will be held at Number 39 Hopstar Brewery Tap, with African bands sourced by Darwen Music Projects chief Gary Ward.

Bunting is expected to adorn the three ‘welcome to Darwen’ signs as well as being used around the town centre to raise awareness of the event.