LOCAL councillors have agreed to give a grant of £833 to strengthen links between Helensburgh and its 'twin town' in France.

The Helensburgh and District Twinning Association wants to use the money to help meet the cost of a visit by a delegation from Thouars, in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, in July of next year.

The twinning association wants to organise a trip on a steam train and a cruise on the paddle steamer Waverley as part of the French group's visit.

The request was approved by members of Argyll and Bute Council's Helensburgh and Lomond area committee at their meeting on Tuesday, December 13.