Lewes has turned down a request to be twinned with a "magical" Italian town.

The Sussex town is already twinned with Blois in France and Waldshut in Germany.

A third official link with Pietrasanta in Tuscany was requested by the Italian town's mayor.

Lewes Town Council decided it could not justify taking on a third twin at present.

It is working with the Italians to forge links with a view to twinning in future.

The relationship between the towns dates back 20 years.

A council delegation recently returned from Pietrasanta where they met town leaders to discuss the possibility of re-establishing student visits between the towns.

The delegation consisted of the Mayor and Mayoress of Lewes, John and Jenny Webber, and other council officials.

Mayor Webber said: "Pietrasanta is a magical place and we hope many people from Lewes will be able to discover its delights for themselves."

Pietrasanta lies in a picturesque region of Tuscany, set between the Mediterranean and marble hills, with sandy beaches and historic buildings.