HORSFORDIANS are being asked for their opinions on the future development of two key issues in the town.

Firstly, the Town Council is asking residents to name a foreign town they would like to see Horsforth twinned with in the future.

The council is keen to twin with another town on the continent, and at a recent full council meeting, decided to ask Horsfordians which town they would like to foster links with and what they would like these links to be.

Council chairman, Councillor Bernie Coleman said: "I am keen to encourage connections with other towns in Europe, especially for the educational benefits it will bring to children. It also leads to an exchange of ideas, broadens people's outlook and is good for business amongst other things.

"Communication between different cultures can only be a good thing."

And Coun Coleman is also looking for townsfolk to come up with possible uses for the ageing Mechanics' Institute in Town Street. The council is hoping to submit a lottery bid to renovate the building, which is falling into disrepair and currently loses about £8,000 per year.

He is also interested in hearing from organisations who may wish to use the building.

"We need to stop its downward spiral or within the next five or ten years, it will be virtually uninhabitable. To this end, we need to know what people want," added Coun Coleman.

Anyone with any ideas on the two issues should write to Horsforth Town Council clerk Ken Donnelly at 107a Long Row, Horsforth.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.