THE Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Ernie Jeffs, has unveiled a new bench in Winchester's German twin town Giessen.

At the opening of the Hessian Garden Festival in the town, Cllr Jeffs was accompanied by Mayoress of Winchester Barbara Jeffs, and Cllr Robert Johnston, who is also chairman of the Winchester Anglo German Society.

The festival only takes place every four years, and was also attended by Mayors from Israel, Italy, Czech Republic and Hungary.

Cllr Johnston said: “The bench represents the round table up at the Great Hall. You can see how you would sit around it as they would have done.”