CIVIC dignitaries from Bournemouth's Swiss twin town Lucerne enjoyed an official welcome reception, a concert and a trip to the Jurassic Coast.

The delegation, led by Lucerne twinning chairman Thomas Jauch, accompanied by deputy mayor Ursula Stammer-Horst, was on an official visit to strengthen ties between the two towns.

Officials hope the link will lead to benefits for businesses, particularly the town's prospering language schools, with students already coming to Bournemouth on a Swiss government programme.

David Bailey, secretary of the Bournemouth-Lucerne Twinning Association, hosted the delegation at the Hotel Miramar in East Cliff, where he is manager.

"They had a very good time here and the deputy mayor said she was very pleased with response she had received at business meetings," he said.

"I think they must have gone home absolutely exhausted.

"Lucerne was chosen as a twin town for its similar size, both have a vibrant tourism industry and a waterside location, the sea in our case and the lake in theirs. They are actually twinned with cities in five other countries across the world.

"It is good to have the cultural exchange, to see how they do things there, and there are economic benefits to bringing their business into our town."

Lucerne deputy mayor Mrs Stammer-Horst is an expert in European energy policy and during the visit she gave a talk on the subject to assembled councillors from Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, as well as students from Bournemouth University.

The delegation, which comprised around 15 people in total, also enjoyed a tour of the Jurassic Coast, and on Saturday evening they went to the Lighthouse in Poole to see a concert performed by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, where they were met by conductor Kirill Karabits and the ensemble's chief executive.

Mr Bailey took a trip to Lucerne in January, accompanied by Mandy Payne of the Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce, to explore business links between the towns.

However there has not been an official visit by Bournemouth dignitaries to the lakeside Swiss city in several years. He said there are hopes this may be rectified later this year.