Friendships between the towns of Rambouillet and Great Yarmouth were renewed once more as a special tour of the world’s last surviving steam-powered herring drifter was enjoyed.

Eight delegates from the French town of Rambouillet returned to Great Yarmouth this weekend to discuss future projects and link-ups.

John Stephens, chairman of the Great Yarmouth Twinning Association, said: “It has been a really successful weekend. We try and communicate regularly with each other via email, telephone and Skype, but there is nothing better than meeting face to face to get together and discuss projects for the future.”

Great Yarmouth and Rambouillet became “twin” towns in 1956, and since then the partnership between the two towns has flourished. And on Sunday, the French delegates and Yarmouth group members visited the herring drifter Lydia Eva on South Quay.

They toured the historic vessel and met with the mayor of Yarmouth, Kerry Robinson-Payne, who said: “It is a really great friendship and it is lovely to see some of the group enjoying the heritage of our town.”