Towns on Timbuktu twin shortlist

Three places have been shortlisted in the hunt to find a UK twin town for the west African city of Timbuktu.

Glastonbury, Hay-on-Wye and York are in the running after being selected from more than 50 applicants.



The search coincides with an exhibition in London of pictures of Mali by British photographer Stuart Redler.

Ali Ould Sidi, head of the Cultural Mission of Timbuktu, will visit the three candidates in early December before choosing a winner.

He said: "The three finalists most accurately match the spirit of Timbuktu, and I am very pleased to have found such similarities in Britain. The decision of who wins will be a difficult one indeed."