THE Mayor of High Wycombe has visited two towns in Armenia which have been nominated for twinning with High Wycombe.

Idjevan and Dilidjan, in the north-east province of Tavoosh, have been put forward by members of the Chilterns Armenian Society (CAS), chaired by Odette Bazil.

Many Armenian families living in Bucks are from the province, which is similarly green, hilly and known for its furniture factories.

Mayor Liaquat Ali and Mrs Bazil were accompanied by Alma Pearce, the society's treasurer, Professor Chaudhry Shafique of Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College (BCUC) equal opportunities department and Antony Abadjian, a member of the CAS committee.

Mayor Ali met with Dr Vahe Gabrielyan, the ambassador to Armenia in October, who is in favour of the twinning, saying it presented advantages for both sides.

Mayor Ali said: "It was an excellent five-day visit and we had a wonderful reception from the people and mayors of each town.

"The Town Twinning Association is now considering the proposal and the potential for developing cultural, trade and education links between the two countries."

The tour was met by the third secretary of the Armenian Ambassador to London and the British Council in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. They generated huge interest from locals and the media, visited attractions in each town and a small concert in honour of Mayor Ali at the Idjevan Academy of Music.

Armenia has enjoyed 14 years of independence, following 70 years of Russian communist rule. Mrs Bazil hopes the proposal will introduce Armenian culture to British people.

She added: "We want to portray an accurate and meaningful picture of Armenian origins, culture, craft and music to a society that already understands cultural diversity."

Professor Shafique met academics and the head of the state university in Dilidjan, as well as business leaders and the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

He said: "BCUC is delighted to participate in the idea. The interest and commitment is there to develop projects of mutual interest, which will evolve over time."