Delegates from the third town hoping to twin with Sedbergh arrive in the Dales this weekend.

Representatives from the alpine town of Zrece, in Slovenia, will meet their hosts on Saturday as part of the BBC Twin Towns television programme.

Eymet, in France, and Atheniou, in Cyprus, have already completed their bids to be Sedbergh's twin town.

The group will bring people from different walks of life to join their Sedbergh counterparts in a range of activities during their stay.

The visitors include a doctor, Jure Bicanic, who will twin with Dr William Lumb, and Sasna Laznik, a policeman from Slovenia, who will shadow local policeman Dennis Wicker.

A 13-year-old girl and 15-year-old boy from Zrece will also be staying with families in the town and attending school with their Sedbergh "twins".

The twinning arrangement will allow hosts and visitors to sample each other's way of life.

In addition, there are several events that anyone can attend, such as an international quiz night at The Bull, a disco for teenagers on the evening of Thursday, September 23, and lessons in the traditional Slovenian dance the polka on Monday (September 20).

The visit will end with a televised evening of Slovenian food, drink and entertainment on Friday (September 24).

Alan Lewis, music master at Sedbergh School and director of the town band, will play host to Slovenian musician Samo Ivavic.

At home, Mr Ivavic trains a cappella singers and while he is here he will be putting together a group to sing at the televised event on the Friday.

Would-be performers can audition at Settlebeck School on Sunday, September 19, between 3.30pm and 5pm.

Twin Towns producer Helen Nightingale says: "I think local opinion is that the Cypriots are going to be a hard act to follow."

"But the Slovenians really want to win so they will be pulling out all the stops."