A TRANSATLANTIC video link-up was used to unite town councillors in Abingdon with their American counterparts yesterday.

Since the 1960s, Abingdon in Oxfordshire has formed links with Abingdon in Virginia, although it is not an official twin town.

A party of about 10 visitors from the United States presented a proclamation to Abingdon mayor Monica Lovatt welcoming links between the two towns.

The presentation, which took place at 3pm in the mayor’s parlour in the town council building in Abbey Close, was relayed back to watching councillors in Virginia. It was 10am there.

Abingdon clerk Nigel Warner said: “There have been close links between the two Abingdons since the 1960s and we have some guests from Virginia staying with us to take part in our Jubilee celebrations. It was a great honour to receive the proclamation from our friends in Virginia.

“This is the first time we have used Skype for a live link-up.”