ROSSENDALE has been graced with a taste of Eastern Europe with the visit of a leading Russian official.

Sergei Olov, who is foreign affairs adviser for Engels, was in Rawtenstall to meet the region's Mayor Coun Peter Steen.

Mr Olov was accompanied by a translator and Arthur Marriott, who is a governor for All Saints Catholic School at the meeting which took place in Future's Park, Bacup.

Rossendale has had an association with the town of Engels since 1998 when an official Friendship Agreement between the towns of Engels and Rossendale Councils was signed.

The agreement was created in an effort to develop co-operation in the areas of business and health, youth and education, plus culture and sport, and also to work towards the establishment of long term links between the two areas.

Both All Saints and Haslingden High School have developed links with Engels and Saratov and a number of exchange visits have taken place.