Shops to accept euro for two days

About 45 businesses in Bewdley are taking part in the event

Many businesses in a Worcestershire town will accept the euro for two days.

The initiative in Bewdley on Saturday and Sunday is part of events marking the 20th anniversary of its twinning agreement with German town Vellmar.

About 45 businesses will display posters telling shoppers they can pay in euros or sterling, as normal.

One organiser, Sue Hayden, said: "We thought we were going to have lots of opposition and people would take it as a political statement, which it's not."

She added: "It's just purely [for] fun and even people who are not sure they want to use euros in Britain are keen to support us.

"We wanted something that would really mark the occasion and involve as many Bewdley people as possible."

'Lovely atmosphere'

Bewdley Twinning Association, which has been involved in the project, said visitors from Germany "will not have to grapple with the complexities of exchange rates".

A spokesperson added: "It was very easy to persuade businesses to take part and they are extremely enthusiastic.

"They have decorated their shop fronts with German and Union Jack flags. There is a lovely atmosphere in the town.

"I think local people are rummaging in their pockets to spend money they haven't spent on holiday."

West Midlands Labour MEP Neena Gill will greet visiting dignitaries from Vellmar, including Burgermeister Dirk Stochla.

The pair will visit Bewdley ceramic studio The Melting Pot where they will design, paint and exchange tiles to celebrate the links which have been built up between the two towns.