A staggering 4,000 bars of chocolate have been delivered to St Ives, after the mayor of its twin town in Germany paid a visit during the OuseFest Fortnight.

The Hunts Post: The Merry Wives perform at St Ives. Photo by Alan Bennett.The Merry Wives perform at St Ives. Photo by Alan Bennett. (Image: Alan Bennett/Media Imaging Solutions 2016)

Christian Somogyi, mayor of Stadtallendorf, and his wife Ilona Mönninger-Somogyi, donated the sweet treats after hearing about a performance of The Merrie Wives of St Ives – a play featuring their home.

A spokesman for the St Ives Town Team, which created the performance, said: “Characters in the play pass though Stadtallendorf, where there is a Ferrero Rocher factory and a scene was included of a chocolate eating competition.

“Because of this the town team wrote to the mayor asking if he might be able to ask Ferrero Rocher to send over some of their chocolate for this scene.”

And, after a 12-hour journey to the Cambridgeshire town, the German mayor and his wife arrived laden with chocolate.

Christian Somogyi, told The Hunts Post: “The request from our twin town St Ives on ‘sweet support’ for the summer party, we gladly accepted and implemented.

“So it was a pleasure for me, to bring 4,000 Hanuta of Stadtallendorf company Ferrero personally to St Ives. And I must say the effort was worth it.

“A successful event and extremely friendly people who have warmly welcomed my wife Ilona Mönninger-Somogyi and I. In short, I am in love with the people and St Ives. Therefore, I am already looking forward to the next reunion.”

Some 200 people turned out to watch The Merrie Wives of St Ives on July 23, which was part of the OuseFest Fortnight, and was written, produced and acted entirely by the people of the town.

Audience members were also well-fed thanks to the chocolate donation, accompanied by a hog roast, with the remaining treats due to be sent out to schools and organisations in the near future.