FIFTY years of building bridges between the people of Kidderminster and those of the German town of Husum have been marked by a ceremonial naming of the footbridge at Weavers Wharf.

The town twinning association invited an 18-strong delegation from Husum to celebrate the golden milestone with the naming of the bridge as the Husum Bridge.

The plaque was unveiled by the Burgervorsteherin, Fran Brigit Enke, and the Burgermeister, Rainer Maass, along with Kidderminster mayor, Peter Dyke, on Saturday, following a procession of dignitaries from the town hall.

The naming brings the town in line with Husum, where the railway bridge has been known as the Kidderminster Bridge for about 30 years.

Among those present was Martin Langer, first secretary of the German Embassy in London, who also spoke during a meal afterwards in the Corn Exchange about the continued need to overcome prejudices and xenophobia.

The event was the high point of a weekend of events to celebrate the golden anniversary and to foster further friendships and links.

Association chairman, Dr Rod Summers, described the weekend as a "colossal success," which was enjoyed by all those who took part.

The Husum delegation included 12 councillors who exchanged ideas with Kidderminster councillors and six members of the German town twinning association.

They included high school headteacher, Teresa Cromik, who visited acting headteacher, Tim Gulliver, at King Charles I High School and Jurgen Stumbitz, head of Husum College, who met Kidderminster College principal, Andrew Miller, for talks on developing student exchanges.

The delegation was also treated to a tour and dinner at Harvington Hall, lunch at La Brasserie, a concert at Kidderminster Town Hall, and attended a service at St Mary's Church.