There is now a corner of The Talbot hotel that is forever Sweden, thanks to the efforts of the Ledbury-Stromstad Twinning Group.

A side bar has been designated "Little Stromstad" and is meant to be a home from home for Swedish visitors to the town.

There are flags, articles and memorabilia all celebrating Ledbury's Scandinavian link.

The bar was officially launched on Monday evening by a host of VIPs, including Stromstad's representative, business co-ordinator Bjorn Alm, the mayor of Ledbury, Coun Phillip Bettington, and town councillor and twinning group chairman Spencer Lane.

Mr Alm, who was presented with gifts of hop asparagus and a hop pillow from Munsley Court, was on his first visit to Ledbury and praised the beauty of the town and the surrounding countryside.

He said that Swedish visitors often seek out traditional English pubs but the bar in The Talbot would make them feel extra welcome.

He presented the mayor and mayoress of Ledbury with two pewter tankards from Stromstad.

Hannah Minshull, the daughter of Baptist Church minister, Simon Minshull, and his wife, Swedish-born Susanne Minshull, recited a welcoming poem to Mr Alm in flawless Swedish.

Afterwards, the guests were given glasses of Stromstad wine to savour. Later in the evening, Mr Alm was guest of honour at a roast beef dinner in the Panelled Room.