NEW information boards have been installed in Bromyard as part of the Heritage Trail project launched by the Mayor's consort, Jan Scrine.

Jan said "When visitors arrived in our traditional town, there was nothing to explain what they were seeing around them" she says. "And although the raft of volunteers who man the Tourist Information Office and the History Centre do a sterling job, neither location is open on Saturday afternoons or Sundays. The Mayor, Councillor Fred Clark, was keen to increase visitor numbers to the town's independent shops, cafes and inns between the spectacular festivals, again put on by volunteers".

Several organisations including the Milestone Society (of which Jan is a founder member) and the Chamber of Commerce have contributed to producing over 7000 leaflets about the trail. These were devised by Jan working with Charles Gordon Clark of the Bromyard and District Local History Society. The leaflets are being distributed widely across Worcestershire as well as Herefordshire, to attract visitors to this unspoilt market town with a modern twist.

With backing from Bromyard Town Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund supported the production of the three interpretation panels, installed at both ends of the town, in the two main car parks and on Sherford Street.

Designer of the panels and leaflets Richard Marshall-Hardy said "While I've worked on many heritage projects, this one has been challenging but great fun! My wife and I walked the trail on a horrible snowy winter morning but we found it really fascinating and we warmed up with a great roast beef dinner in the Falcon afterwards".

Mayor Fred said "It's a great way of making history live for locals as well as visitors. It's important to remember where we have come from - we hope people will enjoy exploring the trail as well as learn something from it".

The grand opening event for the trail is on April 22, with plenty of activities around the town all day. Full details of the programme are shown on the new tourism website visitBromyard.co.uk