A GROUP of Hungarians will arrive in Marlow next week as part of a town twinning student scholarship programme, with VIP guests also visiting for a mayoral reception.

Budavar in Budapest has shared heritage with Marlow through its Chain Bridge, designed by William Tierney Clark, the man behind Marlow’s similarly iconic structure.

Every two years, the Marlow Budapest Town Twinning Association pays for two students aged from 16 to 18 and their teachers to fly over for a cultural and educational exchange.

And the teenagers will be greeted at an official reception with the town’s mayor Suzanne Brown, with the Hungarian Ambassador and head of the country’s cultural institute visiting as guests of honour.

Twinning association chairman Roy Cadman said: "The exchange sees the students coming over to visit us and us going over to Hungary in alternate years.

"It has been running for seven or eight years and it is a very important part of town life for both areas.

"I take a great interest and delight in Hungarian culture, and Budapest is a great place to visit, personally I’d say better than Paris."

In November 2007 a formal twinning agreement was signed by the Mayors of Budavár and Marlow, with the association aiming to encourage friendship and links between the social, sporting and cultural organisations of the two.

Marlow is also twinned with Mary-Le-Roi in France, with Mayor Brown making an annual civic visit to the town in Northern France.