ORGANISERS of a trip to Itzehoe to mark the 25th anniversary of the Cirencester Twinning Association are grappling with what to give the town as a present.

To help, the Standard has been out on the streets asking readers what would be a fitting gift.

CTA chairman Richard Kent, who has visited Itzehoe 27 times, told the Standard he cannot wait to celebrate the landmark anniversary.

He said: "The link is about fostering a greater understanding of people of different cultures - this is why it's such a shame people want to stay in hotels when they travel.

"It's more fun staying with families - you get to learn what makes them tick."

Several clubs and societies are set to visit Itzehoe in October, which has been twinned with Cirencester since 1982.

Even pilots based at Kemble Airfield are considering flying to an airfield in Itzehoe as part of the anniversary celebrations.

But what to give the town as a present?

Mr Kent is considering commissioning a copy of the Hare mosaic in the Corinium Museum, while suggestions from local people range from a Cotswold sheep to "the next World Cup".

Brenda Coxon, 80, lives in Chester Street. She said: "How about a sheep? A sheep might be a good idea because we are a wool town.

"But we are also a place of wonderful churches so perhaps something to put into a church would be an idea - perhaps a font with a sheep on it."

Stephen Carter, 65, a frequent visitor to Cirencester, said: "When I think of the Cotswolds I immediately think of Cotswold stone, but I suppose that would be a bit difficult to formulate something that was meaningful out of stone."

Former Deer Park School pupil Neil Macluskie, 61, who was visiting from Scotland, said: "A mosaic is a great idea. It must be something that represents the town."

Tony Derrick, 63, from Cirencester, said: "What about a piece of Cotswold stone that could be designed as a monument or a statue?

"If anybody follows up the sheep idea I hope they get the right kind of sheep because people often get confused. It must be a Cotswold Lion sheep."

The visit will take place in the first week of October, while a return visit is planned for April 2008, the 25th anniversary of the first trip to the Cotswolds by the Itzehoe Twinning Association.

So far, Cirencester Football Club, local chess and bridge clubs, German language students from Cirencester College, Cirencester Ramblers and flying clubs at Kemble Airfield have expressed an interest in taking part in the anniversary event.

To contact the twinning association contact Richard Kent on 01285 885300.

Do you have a suggestion of what we should send to Itzehoe? Click at the link at the bottom and post a comment.