English eccentricity was celebrated in Marden near Devizes when villagers marked the twinning of their redundant phone box with one in Thurlestone, Devon.

About 60 people attended the twinning ceremony on Saturday evening, including six from Thurlestone.

Both villages bought their phone boxes from BT for a pound and use them as a community facility for purposes such as a mini library and art installation.

Marden resident Lalu Carter’s parents, Kit and Gillian Marshall, live in Thurlestone and Mr Marshall gave a speech on behalf of the village, while resident Sue Collison spoke for Marden.

Each presented the other with a twinning plaque, while the Thurlestone delegation presented Marden with aprons with a phone box pattern on.

Gladys the mannequin, who appears from time to time in the Marden phone box and who was dressed as the May queen, declared the twinning was official followed by cheers from the crowd.

Residents of Marden will be going to Thurlestone for a twinning ceremony next year.

Mrs Carter believes the twinning of the phone boxes is a first in the UK and said she had been contacted by other villages who want to twin their phone boxes.

Since the Gazette featured the story earlier this month it has been featured in other media.

Mrs Carter said: “I have done interviews with the BBC and Associated Press, who released it all over the country. The story even appeared in the Malta Times. I think it caught on because it was so bonkers and an example of English eccentricity. We live in an age with a lot of doom and gloom and this was such a mad idea that it made people laugh.

“It’s also reinforcing links with other villages, which is lovely. Phone boxes are iconic and our motto is ‘It’s Good to Talk’.

“The twinees really got into the whole fun of it. We also had people from other villages – Urchfont, All Cannings and Pewsey – come along for the twinning ceremony.”

Those attending were asked to write down ideas for what the phone box, called the Marden Exchange, could be used for. One of the suggestions that is set to happen was for people to have their hair cut in it.