OXFORD’s former international officer has welcomed a very special statuette to her home – one of Dutch twin town Leiden’s most prestigious awards.

May Wylie, left, who lives in Old Road, Headington, retired as Oxford City Council’s twinning ‘guru’ in July after 18 years service, and is now a full-time twinning volunteer.

Presenting her with the Cornelis Jopensz statuette at a dinner, Leiden’s Burgomaster, Henri Lenferink, said May had organised many unforgettable visits for young people from Leiden over the years.

Mrs Wylie said the award now had pride of place on her mantle-piece, adding: “It came out of the blue. I had no inkling, but I was absolutely honoured.”