Surrey in Canada has renewed its historic relationship with England’s original, in a live video link.

Although thousands of miles apart, the two Surreys have found themselves in similar positions, as communities bordering Olympic host cities.

In the live link up, Surrey County Councillor Denise Saliagopoulos appeared on a giant video screen at the Olympic Media Centre, Vancouver, to talk to Surrey Canada’s mayor Dianne Watts.

Coun Saliagopoulos said: “The people of Surrey, Canada, which is named after Surrey, England, have worked hard in the past couple of years to make sure their community benefits as much as possible from the winter Olympics.

“This is a great opportunity for us to learn how our namesakes went about bringing economic and cultural prosperity to their city through the winter games.”

The women signed a partnership pledge and exchanged Olympic badges, promising to encourage business and tourism links as well as promoting exchanges and joint projects, especially with young people.

Sebastian Coe, former Olympian and chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, said he strongly supported Surrey’s ambition to use the games to strengthen businesses and communities.

Mrs Saliagopoulos said: “The two Surreys share a past and by signing this pledge we are promising to share a future together. The London 2012 Games is a fantastic opportunity for Surrey businesses to win their share of the £1bn which will be generated by the Olympics in the south-east.”