Former Swindon mayor Stan Pajak returned from Poland with thousands of new friends.

Coun Pajak (Lib Dem, Eastcott) signed a friendship and co-operation deal with his Polish counterparts in the medieval town of Torun.

It means that the town, which lies about 100 miles outside Warsaw, will be Swindon's third international twinning.

And in honour of this latest friendship deal, Thamesdown Transport has decided to name a bus after Torun.

Coun Pajak, whose father Joe grew up just outside Krakow, said he was delighted that Torun had been chosen.

"It is an ideal twinning town for Swindon," he said. "Torun is a beautiful place and has lots in common with our town.

"Its population is roughly the same, at about 200,000 and it is home to the Nicholas Copernicus University, while we have the University of Bath campus.

"Torun is located on the edge of a beautiful forest, which is similar to us here with Savernake just a few mile outside Swindon.

"It's very cheap there too. A pint of beer costs about 80p, while a packet of cigarettes is about £1."

Coun Pajak, who was accompanied on the three-day trip by former Swindon council leader Kevin Small, added that a dozen students were planning to visit England in July.

He said: "Torun has links with Oxford University so the students will be staying there but they wanted to visit Swindon too.

"They are planning a cultural and folk show for their trip, which should be wonderful to see.

"The Thamesdown bus will be called Torun, City of Copernicus, and the ceremony will take place at Steam because that is part of Swindon's culture."

Our first twinning with Salzgitter, in Germany, occurred 30 years ago. This was followed 20 years later with Ocotal, in Nicaragua.

The bus will be named on July 12.