Redditch has been celebrating its ties with a Pakistani town in a special meeting to reaffirm their friendship. 

A delegation from Gujar Khan, located in Pakistan's Rawalpindi province, met the Mayor of Redditch, Salman Akbar, at the Town Hall where the mayor was presented with a gift of a hand-crafted model truck. 

Gujar Khan, where the majority of Redditch's residents of Pakistani descent can trace their origins, was twinned with the town in 2006 following work from the Redditch Pakistan Community Forum and Redditch Borough Council. 

The twinning sees activities from the South Asian town maintained by the Gujar Khan Welfare Link group under Redditch's twinning steering group which is chaired by Councillor Akbar. 

Councillor Akbar said: "I am honoured to be able to continue to foster relationships between our communities here and in Pakistan, which we have long been doing in Redditch. 

"The main aim is, as ever, to promote the cultures of both our communities proactively and encourage better understanding, friendship and harmony." 

Mr Khawaja Pervez, of Gujar Khan Welfare Link, said: "Most of Redditch's Pakistani community has roots in the Gujar Khan area of Pakistan and so this link ensures that new generations in Redditch sustain a positive relationship. 

"That helps to connect and identify themselves with their motherland with pride as they negotiate their dual lifestyles as British Citizens in mainstream British society." 

Redditch and its communities maintain civic links with five twin towns including Gujar Khan, Gruchet and Auxerre in France, Mtwara in Tanzania and St Elizabeth in Jamaica.