Swindon has been announced as the world’s first ever Walt Disney World twin town, thanks to resident Rebecca Warren.

More than 500 people from across the UK nominated their home towns to compete for the official status and a celebratory, magical, Disney twinning party.

Miss Warren’s entry, a video slideshow with original poem, beat the 24 other shortlisted entries which nominated towns such as Blackpool, Aberdeen, Chester, Milton Keynes and Wigan.

Swindon’s twinning ceremony is set to take place in January. The lucky town will enjoy a celebratory party that will bring a touch of Disney magic from the famous Florida theme parks to Wiltshire.

Swindon will be honoured in the United Kingdom Pavilion at World Showcase within Epcot throughout 2010.

Miss Warren, 20, a mortgage advisor for Nationwide, will jet off to Florida with her nephew Aaron, 11 and niece Amy, five, to meet the Mayor of Main Street, USA, and unveil the Walt Disney World Twinned with Swindon plaque, specially designed by the famous Disney Imagineers.

Swindon’s own Imagineer-designed sign will be brought back to the UK for the town to showcase.

The Walt Disney Community Relations team will also embark on a community outreach programme, devised in collaboration with Swindon’s officials, following the official twinning in January.

Miss Warren said: “I still cannot believe that my entry has been selected – it’s fantastic. What a great opportunity for Swindon, we’ll definitely welcome the Disney magic. It will be so exciting to see Swindon’s name alongside Walt Disney World on the sign in Florida.

“My wish was always to be Cinderella with a beautiful ball gown, so I’m really looking forward to dressing the part for the twinning ceremony in January.”

The winning entry was selected by a team of judges, including TV star, Angellica Bell, Vice President Creative Inc, Walt Disney World, Duncan Wardle, Vice President and managing director of Disney Destinations International UK, Hugh Wood, and one of the famous Walt Disney Imagineers, Patrick Brennan.

Miss warren’'s video entry was selected for its creativity, sense of fun and the way in which it showcases the elements of Swindon that reflect key aspects of the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Her entry can be seen via the link below.

Hugh Wood of Disney Destinations International said: “Britain clearly has a love for Walt Disney World and long-standing affinity with the parks and their magic. Which is probably why the number and quality of entries received was so high, making it very difficult to pick a winner.

“However, Rebecca’s video really stood out. Her local pride and creative approach, coupled with her obvious knowledge of Walt Disney World just made the difference.

“We’re looking forward to building a friendly and magical relationship with our new twin, Swindon.”