CANTERBURY has been accused of adopting an apathetic approach to its twinning arrangements with other cities.

The Canterbury-Rheims Twinning Association came under fire this week when an organisation returned from the French city having received lavish hospitality never reciprocated in east Kent.

Nothing was too much trouble for their French counterparts when Bridge Chess Club arrived for the third annual cross-channel match against the Rheims club.

The chess players were given a civic reception, taken for dinner, given free accommodation over two nights at the homes of the Rheims players and shown round the area.

Bridge club captain Graeme Boxall returned from the trip humbled by the spirit of welcome shown by their French hosts and determined to improve Canterbury’s approach to the promotion of such cross-channel events.

He says: “There seems to be little effort from the Canterbury end of the twinning set-up in facilitating and organising events like this."

Marco Keir, Assistant Head of Service for Culture and Communications, said: “Canterbury City Council is committed to twinning and has 11 official twin towns and active links with 18 other towns and cities.

“We are always looking for ways to raise the international profile of Canterbury and the district and there is no doubt that we punch above our weight internationally for a city of this size.

“We have had links with Rheims for 44 years, so we recognise the importance of the friendships created through twinning."