Two Shropshire towns who had hoped to be twinned with Walt Disney World in Florida have failed in their bid.

Telford and Ellesmere lost out to Swindon, which was the first town ever picked to be officially linked with the home of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.

The Wiltshire town, which is famous for its old rail works and the site of a major Honda car factory, was selected thanks to the efforts of Swindon resident Rebecca Warren, 20, who produced a winning video slideshow extolling its virtues.

Hugh Wood, of Disney Destinations International, said: “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.”

Dean Churm, the British Consul in Orlando, who grew up in Telford, had appealed in October for residents in the town to nominate the area for twinning with the Disney attraction.

He had said: “When Walt Disney built the Epcot Center he envisioned it as a new town, so there is obviously a very strong connection there with Telford.”

The American corporation was looking for an English town which shared Disney values, and invited people to put forward their home towns, cities, or villages.

Also throwing their name into the hat from the county was Ellesmere, whose bid was looking hopeful after the town’s website had more than 4,000 from people wanting to know more about it.

Lincoln McMullan, chairman of Ellesmere’s chamber of trade, had said the twinning would be an unusual association but also a great way of putting the town on the map.

The winners get a holiday for four to Walt Disney World and a grand party for 150 people will be laid on in the winning town, as well as a ceremony in Orlando.