A school could hold the key to reinstating a twinning link between Melksham and a German town, which cooled after it was felt the German residents were taking advantage of the free hospitality.

On Monday, a former chairman of the Melksham Marienhafe Twinning Association told town councillors that George Ward School could restore the relationship by linking up with a school there.

Melksham was first twinned with Marienhafe, a town in the district of Aurich, Lower Saxony, 20 years ago, but after about 15 years the relationship cooled, as it was felt the German visitors were taking advantage of the free hospitality by bringing along friends from other areas.

In December, Gerhard Ihmels, mayor of the Brookmerland Municipal Principality, which includes Marienhafe, wrote to Melksham town clerk John Crook to discuss the possibility of reviving the twinning and an exchange programme.

After this idea was publicised to see what residents thought, Mr Crook received interest from just three people.

But at Monday’s town council policy and resources committee meeting, Graham Hedges, of Bader Park in Bowerhill, a former chair of the twinning association, said he felt the school should be approached to see if they were interested in his idea.

“It’s an exciting time and if we involved the youth it (the twinning link) will last.”

Mr Hedges said if George Ward wanted to get involved, he envisaged them setting up a website linking them up to a school in Marienhafe and suggested this project could be incorporated within the curriculum. He also proposed involving youth groups in the twinning scheme.

Councillors resolved to put Mr Hedges in contact with George Ward and said they would help promote a public meeting if there was any further interest.