From your town to Timbuktu

The search is on for the chosen town to be officially twinned with Timbuktu, the legendary Malian outpost.

Many towns and villages are already twined with other locations, mostly with towns in France, Germany and Belgium.

However, Timbuktu is far more exotic and the contest to be twinned with the African region is sure to be heated.

Stuart Redler, a photographer who is due to launch an exhibition titled: From Timbuktu to W2, is leading the town twinning venture.

The winning town will be able to refer to itself as "twinned with Timbuktu" and this will be fully reciprocated by the African city.

Redler's exhibition is on display in both London and Timbuktu, from November 16th to December 16th in an effort to maintain the perception of duality.

The London Evening Standard commented: "Expect to be mesmerised?because whether he's taking pictures of double barrelled tress, architectural novelties or people in South Africa or the Middle East, Stuart Redler's images are always touching."

The photographs show varied examples of life, the natural world and the historic sites of Timbuktu.