North Berwick rejects idea of US twin town

AN East Lothian town has refused to consider twinning with a town in the United States because it's struggling to build on current links with other countries.

Community councillors have thrown out the chance to twin with Wellington in Ohio, which is keen to forge a "sister city" connection with North Berwick and has a Scottish Society.

The move comes after community leaders warned it would be difficult to create the link because a current arrangement with Kerteminde in Denmark is failing.

Chairman Pat Burton said: "If we are having a problem with Denmark we are not going to keep up a relationship with the States."

Mrs Burton also said Wellington was too far away and would be difficult to visit now that the United States was subject to strict travel restrictions.

North Berwick's twinning link with Kerteminde is struggling partly because there hasn't been a huge response from schools.

Ian Donald of North Berwick and District Business Association said: "We don't see any major advantage."