SOME 26 volunteers signed up to work at the new Coleford Tourist Information Centre at its launch.

The centre, in Lords Hill, was officially opened by the Mayor of Coleford, Cllr Paul Kay and Maureen McAllister the executive director of the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley Tourism Association.  

Deputy Mayor of Coleford Cllr Nick Penny, who is leading the project, said he took the opportunity to combine the centre’s open day with the launch of 2016/17 Coleford Town events programme.

He said: “The event was a huge success and feedback on the service we are providing has been extremely positive from both visitors to the area and members of tourism-related businesses.

“We had musicians and jugglers representing the Coleford Busking Festival and Coleford Music Festival, traction engines and vintage vehicles representing the Carnival of Transport, Storm Troopers to promote the May 4 event and members of the Sealed Knot to represent the Battle of Coleford annual commemor-

ation.”

The centre aims to plug a critical gap for tourists in the region by providing a fully-staffed facility with access to both printed literature and online services.

Nick added: “Footfall has been steady for pre-season and we expect it to continue to grow as the summer holidays approach.”