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Swindon twins with Walt Disney World

Florida theme park to host 'Wonders of Wiltshire' exhibition

The picturesque Wiltshire town of Swindon has beaten 24 less magical UK locations to become the first real-world twin of Florida's Walt Disney World.

According to the BBC, the home of Honda motors and Billie Piper secured the honour after 20-year-old building society worker Rebecca Warren "made a video of her home town and composed a special poem which impressed Disney's judges".

Hugh Wood, of Disney Destinations International, explained: "Britain clearly has a love for Walt Disney World and long-standing affinity with the parks and their magic, which is probably why the number and quality of entries received was so high."

Swindon will soon boast a sign proclaiming its affiliation with Disney World, placed at its most enchanted spot: the world-famous "Magic Roundabout":

Swindon's Magic Roundabout as seen on Google Maps

The town's Florida twin will similarly proclaim its love when Ms Warren, her nephew Aaron, 11, and five-year-old niece Amy jet to Orlando to pull the cord on a plaque proclaiming: "Walt Disney World twinned with Swindon".

Warren enthused: "I still cannot believe that my entry has been selected - it's fantastic. What a great opportunity for Swindon."

Indeed, Disney's Epcot theme park will next year host a "special Swindon exhibition", although "it is not known what the display will contain". ®

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