WILTON councillor Anthony Brown-Hovelt is back from one of the 14 Wiltons in the United States with a plaque for Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Mr Brown-Hovelt, who represents Wilton on Salisbury district council, has been to Wilton, in Maine, for the town's 200th birthday celebrations, which included its annual Blueberry Festival.

He took with him a copy of the Journal and its Down Your Way supplement featuring Wilton, with a painting of Old St Mary's Church, by artist David Lin, to present to his hosts.

In return, he has been given a plaque for Mr Blair in appreciation of Britain's role as an ally of the United States.

It is made from cherrywood taken from a farm in Iowa, the state that was formed by settlers from Maine.

The key on the plaque represents the one to the oldest building in the state.

"I've no idea when I shall present the plaque - I shall have to speak to our MP Robert Key about it," he said.

He said both US President George W Bush and Mr Blair had been invited to the celebrations earlier this month and, while neither could attend, they sent messages of congratulation.

He added that he had brought back various things to present to Wilton town council.

"There's a plaque from Wilton, Maine, and a freshly minted quarter for each of the councillors - Maine issued a special limited edition quarter featuring its lighthouse."

Mr Brown-Hovelt attended a civic reception for 150 people on the first day, at which he presented the painting of Old St Mary's Church and talked about the Wiltshire town's similarities to its Maine counterpart, including a retained fire service and a woollen trade. The second day included a three-hour parade and Mr Brown-Hovelt travelled on a float with representatives from Wiltons in Florida, Iowa, North Dakota, Connecticut and Maine.

"There were thousands of people there," he said.

"There was an American Civil War re-enactment, a parade of boats on Lake Wilton, a firework display and pig roast. On the Sunday, there was an ecumenical church service and a coffee morning."

Mr Brown-Hovelt said the town's selectmen, equivalent to councillors, were thrilled with the copy of the Journal and Down Your Way.

Rather than bury them in a time capsule, as originally intended, they had put them on permanent display in the library.

"Many of the people I spoke to had visited our Wilton and I have presented Wilton librarian Hilary Glyde with a model of Wilton library in Maine."

"She said it would be good to get a relationship going," he said.