The German town is situated east of Berlin and is already paired with Sleaford’s French twin, Marquette Lez Lille.

After much consideration about additional costs incurred from the arrangement, members of Sleaford Town Council cautiously accepted the move with a view to a formal charter being signed in time for the 10th anniversary of Sleaford’s French twinning agreement in July 2009.

The charter would have to be signed in both towns and the costs of travel to the formal twinning ceremonies would be supported by the EU.

Mayor of Sleaford George Grout met with the German delegates in France a week ago.

Sheila Wheeldon of the Sleaford Twinning Association said Sleaford already has active school links with Germany and a German running club wants to work with Sleaford’s athletics clubs too. She said the benefits were there for those who wanted to take advantage of building new relationships with groups and individuals, with the twinning association acting as an introduction agency.

l The 10th anniversary of the twinning agreement with Marquette Lez Lille is set to be celebrated during the weekend of July 11 and 12, before the actual anniversary date of July 14. Sleaford Town FC’s Eslaforde Park ground has been pencilled in as the venue and a continental market may be held to tie in with the celebrations.