VILLAGERS met with counterparts from the big city when two churches with the same name got together.

Worshippers from Winchmore Hill Methodist Church, Winchmore Hill, near Amersham, mingled with guests from Winchmore Hill Methodist Church, Winchmore Hill, North London, on Saturday.

Congregation members met up at the tiny 12-member church in the village which lies between Amersham and Wycombe, before heading off to Jordans for an historical tour.

Villager Maureen Seymour said the exchange visits had been going on for about 15 years.

"One of our former ministers just rang the London church and asked 'is that the minister for Winchmore Hill Methodist Church' and when he said yes she replied 'so am I'. It all started from there really."

Nancy Fleetwood, 82, from the 150 member London church, said: "It was a lovely day out, I really enjoyed myself."

Julian Hunt, county records and local studies manager for Buckinghamshire County Council, said it was unlikely there was an historical connection between the Winchmore Hills.

He said 'more' indicated land for grazing livestock and the 'winch' part possibly came from a rich landowner or farmer with the surname Winer.