Richard BatsonA pedalling policeman has set off on a 1,000-mile journey to one of Cromer's twin towns.And he will be joined by other twinning supporters on the return trip as the seaside resort gears up to mark 30 years of international friendships.Richard Batson

A pedalling policeman has set off on a 1,000-mile journey to one of Cromer's twin towns.

And he will be joined by other twinning supporters on the return trip as the seaside resort gears up to mark 30 years of international friendships.

More than 70 people are due to gather at Cromer on Saturday May 8 for a morning civic reception and social evening to celebrate three decades of links with Crest in France, and 12 with Nidda in Germany.

In the build up community policeman PC Gary Medler is riding to Nidda - for the second time in two years - and will make the return trip with twinning supporters including four people from the German town and Cromer's mayor Hilary Thompson.

Keen cyclist PC Medler from Aylsham said the trip was an enjoyable one, and particularly scenic along the Rhine.

'It is a great experience, and the hardest parts are the hills in the UK which are steeper than on the continent,' he added.

PC Medler is doing the trip with brother-in-law Nick Tappin, an accountant at R G Carter's builders also from Aylsham, who is raising funds for Help For Heroes and the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Mrs Thompson, who cycled to Nidda with PC Medler last time, said the trip could be hard going, but she was pleased to support the twinning association, where she is president.

'You can learn a lot through twinning, and spending time with people from other nations in their home environment rather than as a holidaymaker,' she added.

Twinning association chairman Tony Nash said support in town twinning had declined since the link was first made in 1980 so it was hoped the anniversary, and bike ride would reawaken interest.

There were friendships and business spin-offs, to be gained from the links, and on going science project connection involving schools in the three towns. Anyone interested can contact him on 01263 578194 or association secretary Tina Leighton on 01263 511829.