EIGHTEEN visitors from Montreal left for Edinburgh on Bank Holiday Monday after spending a week with Trafford families.

They and their hosts were members of Friendship Force International, the organisation which promotes worldwide friendships through home hosting.

The Canadians were treated to a welcome afternoon tea at Altrincham Town Hall.

Aline Landry, who stayed with Bende Lind-Hansen, from Broadheath, the organiser of the tea, said: “The Town Hall was an exceptional building. The tea party set the mood for a wonderful week.”

The visitors went to York and enjoyed a day out at Little Moreton Hall followed by dinner and a game of skittles at the Bickerton Poacher inn.

At a farewell party held at the Mercure Altrincham Bowdon Hotel on Sunday, May 25, the winning team were given packets of Skittles sweets.

At the same event, the Montreal President Christiane Beaupre and the Greater Manchester Exchange Director, Christine Pidcock exchanged gifts.

Christiane, who, with her husband Yves, stayed with Christine in Hale, said: “I liked meeting the people most.” She also confessed to having a ‘weakness’ for Dunham Massey which she visited on a free day.

Louise Bernard, hosted by Colin and Claire Brown in Timperley, said: “It was paradise. I liked my hosts and everyone else’s.”

Her husband, Hubert, a history buff, enjoyed visiting Chester because of its Roman connections.

Christine Pidcock said: “My guests were wonderful. They helped me, cooked for me and we had lots of laughs.”

* Anyone interested in finding out more about the Friendship Force of Greater Manchester should call 0161 707 1001 or visit manchester.friendshipforce.org.uk.