A BLACKBURN hairdresser is hoping to establish a link with a Hungarian town in recognition of its people's contribution to life in East Lancashire.

Jeff Stone, who runs his shop in Fleming Square, visited Heviz, in the west of the country, last month for the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian uprising.

In a return visit the mayor of the Hungarian town, Vertes Arpad, sent a citation with his former PA, Tunde Frisnyak, who has recently moved to Nottinghamshire.

The citation given to Coun Dorothy Walsh, Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, thanked her for a citation sent with Mr Stone last month.

Mr Stone said the small number of Hungarians who settled in Blackburn were a huge credit to their country and an example of where integration had worked.

Mr Stone has close links with the Eastern European country as his brother-in-law Otto moved to Blackburn in 1956 after a revolution in the country.

He said: "Tunde received a very warm welcome from Coun Walsh.

"I am hoping we can establish cultural and leisure links between Blackburn and Heviz."

Mr Stone is hoping to set up a delegation to visit the Hungarian town in a bid to foster closer relations.