THREE Worcestershire MPs and Worcester's Mayor Stephen Inman have been invited to step up and find out how Worcester is promoted to tourists.

Worcester Walks - the city's only group of qualified blue and green badge guides - is offering a complimentary walking tour of the city during British Tourism Week from March 10 to 18.

The group has 10 qualified tour guides who have been taking individuals and groups on tours of the city for the past eight years.

Group secretary Mrs Miriam Harvey said: "It is to emphasise how important tourism is in this country and in Worcester. We encourage people to come to Worcester. We promote the shopping, the riverside and the sport."

The group offers general guided tours of the city and has guides who also specialise in certain aspects of Worcester like Elgar, the Civil War and old pubs.

"The general group walks are very popular. We get Round Table, Rotary, WIs and the University of the Third Age from all over the country. We can do walks for the disabled and I have even done one for blind people. During the summer we offer a guided walk from the Guildhall at 11am each week day for anyone who wants to turn up.

"This time last year we had 100 ladies from Glamorgan WI. Worcester is a convenient place to get to and people sometimes come here for a reunion and we do guided walks for them.

"The Orient Express comes to Worcester five times a year and they hire us to give a guided walk."

Anyone who would like to join the complimentary tour should go along to the Guildhall on Friday March 14 at 10.30am.

Tours are normally charged at £4 per person and can be booked through the Tourist Information Centre at the Guildhall or by ringing 01905 726311.