A GROUP of 29 Malvern residents left this week to help establish links with a spa town in the Czech Republic.

The initiative led by Malvern Civis Society, hopes to establish a 'community partnership' with the town of Marianske Lazene, formerly known as Marienbad.

Roger Sutton of the civic society said: "We're using the term 'community partnership' because the term twinning is regarded as being a gravy train for local councillors."

He said that among the groups taking part in the visit are Rotary, Malvern Concert Club, the Priory, Transition Malvern, the Spa Association, Malvern College and Autumn in Malvern.

"We hope this visit will be followed by reciprocal visits involving groups from both towns," he said.