VERWOOD becomes the only town in the UK to be awarded a Flag of Honour by the Council of Europe in Strasbourg for 2007 later this week.

The Flag of Honour is bestowed on local authorities to recognise their work in promoting union and understanding between the people of Europe.

The work was done through Verwood and Three Legged Cross Twinning Association and the town council.

The flag will be officially handed over to town mayor Alec Nicholls on Friday (October 19) at a civic ceremony in front of officials set to include mayors, the High Sheriff of Dorset and the county's deputy Lord Lieutenant, and guests at the Verwood Hub.

The celebrations will continue the following day for the whole community through Flagfest to mark the honour, from 9.30am onwards.

Activities are taking place in the Memorial Hall, on Ferrett's Green, at the Recreation Ground and at Verwood Hub.

There will be arena displays, activity events, face painting, a bouncy castle, steam engine rides for children and rides in a cherry-picker for older children and adults.

There will also be stands and displays from many local and international groups and societies, and organisations such as local firms, the fire service and police have been invited to take part.

A jumble sale, vintage car display, displays of pole lathe turning and more will be going on during the day.

Verwood mayor Alec Nicholls said the plans for the events were now "coming along nicely" and he hoped for good weather for Flagfest.

"We are really looking forward to it," he said. "The twinners have been working for 23 years at twinning. It has built up to this. I'm pleased for them as much as our town."

Shops in Verwood and Three Legged Cross have been invited to get involved by decorating their shop windows.

Any donations made on the day will go to the mayor's charity, which this year is St Gabriel's.

The European Honour Flag programme was created in 1961 and each year the Council of Europe grants four awards, the European Diploma, the Flag of Honour, the Plaque of Honour and the European Prize.

Verwood is twinned with Champtoceaux in France and Liederbach in Germany.