WINCHESTER could be twinned with a town or city in the developing world, if enough interest is shown.

A meeting to discuss the idea was held on Monday evening at the United Church in Jewry Street.

Guest speakers included Winchester City Council leader, Cllr George Beckett, and Nick Maurice from UKOWLA, a Wiltshire-based organisation which promotes twinning with Third World nations.

Winchester is already paired up with Laon in France and Giessen in Germany.

Hampshire dignitaries have also visited America on exchange trips to Winchester's namesake town in Virginia.

Winchester CE Diocese is already twinned with churches in Myanmar, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Monday's meeting gave residents and community leaders a chance to decide how to take the idea forward.

It was agreed to establish a steering group with representatives from the city council, cathedral, YMCA, Winchester University and police.

Several residents are also onboard, including Abdul Kayum from Hyde Street.

He said the aim of twinning Winchester with somewhere in the developing world was not to provide aid. Instead, the idea was to exchange views and experiences, and offer advice on education and training.

The steering group is yet to decide which community it should link with.