THE star of a Renault advertisement campaign that spoofed the village of Gisburn has accepted an invitation from the Ribble Valley Mayor to see the ‘real Ribble Valley’.

And the visit of “Claude” is to be commemorated with a special sausage from award-winning sausage-maker Cowman’s of Clitheroe.

In July, Renault visited Gisburn to film a major advertisement launching its new Megane.

But the advertisements, which have been featured on national television, compared Gisburn to the village of Menton on the Cote d’Azur, contrasting a swimming pool with a puddle, a pair of designer heels with slippers and a glamorous couple sipping wine in a restaurant with a frumpy couple drinking from a thermos flask on a bench.

As the advertisement campaign unfolded, Menton resident Claude drove from the village to Gisburn in a new Renault Megane to see if he could bring some “joie de vivre” to the Ribble Valley village.

Ribble Valley Mayor Councillor Lois Rimmer, who is also president of the Ribble Valley Tourism Association, gave Renault “nil point” for the advertisement and invited Claude to see the ‘real Ribble Valley’.

Now Claude has accepted the mayor’s invitation and is to join her on a whistle-stop tour of scenic Ribble Valley on Saturday.

She said: “Ribble Valley has been described as the Dordogne of Britain and has some of the most spectacular scenery in the country, as well as award-winning restaurants, shops and schools. We think he will be impressed.”

The mayor is to take Claude to Clitheroe Castle for panoramic views of the Ribble Valley from its 14th Century Norman keep followed by a visit to Cowman’s Famous Sausage Shop, where he will be presented with Claude’s Commemorative Country Sausage.

He will then visit one of the UK’s most famous wine shops, D. Byrne and Co, and explore its labyrinthine cellars under King Street.

Claude, who will also be opening Gisburn’s new store and delicatessen during his visit, said: “I am thrilled to be returning to Gisburn. Since I gave Gisburn the Megane, it has opened a delicatessen, started Zumba classes and will soon twin with Menton. Can a car change a town? I think the answer is Oui!”