Pratchett city twins with real town

Terry Pratchett will meet fans of his fantasy world

A market town in Somerset is to twin with the fantasy Discworld city of Ankh-Morpork created by best-selling writer Terry Pratchett.

The author will attend a ceremony on Saturday in Wincanton where more than 1,000 fans - many in costume - are gathering for a weekend festival.

"My reaction to this event is one of benign amazement," he told BBC News Online on Friday.

Some people are flying in from Australia and the USA for the Hogswatch celebrations, the Discworld equivalent of Christmas.

I will be dressing up as myself

Terry Pratchett

The deed of twinning will be signed by the mayor of Wincanton Frank Foster and Ankh-Morpork patrician Lord Havelock Vetinari, to be played by actor Stephen Briggs.

Terry Pratchett, who lives near Salisbury in Wiltshire, said: "I am not an organiser but a happy participant.

"I write books year after year and then something like this happens. It's fun."

Asked if he would be in costume, the author said: "Good heavens no. I will only be dressing up as me and that is something I do every day."

A Discworld consulate has been set-up in Wincanton High Street and the twinning ceremony will be held in the town hall.

Magic and charm

Among others attending the festival will be fantasy artist Paul Kidby and actress Ingrid Pitt, who has played roles in a number of films including The House that Dripped Blood, Countess Dracula and The Wicker Man.

Organiser Bernard Pearson said: "It is an unguarded secret that Wincanton is a place of magic and charm and, like Ankh-Morpork, we are very good at welcoming strangers.

"In Wincanton we are also very strong on big breakfasts."

Traders in the town are welcoming the boost to the local economy and shops are selling such things as themed cakes and special stamps.

Activities include a tournament of the game of Thud - based on the Discworld battle between dwarfs and trolls - puppet classes, displays of memorabilia and a sausage and mash supper.

Organisers are hoping the event will raise £20,000 for the Balsam Community Centre in Wincanton.

The money will be used to set up a ceramics workshop for disabled people