A new tourism initiative for Alston Moor is due to be launched on Tuesday.

Alston Moor Business Association has taken on the lead role of marketing and tourism for the area and has organised the event, at Alston Town Hall, from 9.30am to 1pm.

It will feature the launch of the area's new website.

Guest speakers are Sally Hemsley and Jessica Goodfellow, of Eden District Council leisure and communities team, Shane Harris, the authority's responsible tourism lead, Gina Perryman, of Alston’s Top Cafe, who is also the business association's marketing sub-committee lead and association chairman David Hymers.

The event will be supported with networking opportunities for all member businesses and speakers, and several organisations, including South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society, Nenthead Mines, Nenthead Chapel Project and Isaacs Barn Guest House, will have table top displays available to discuss their own marketing and development plans to attendees.

Sonia Kempsey, of Alston, will talk about the tourism part of the new Alston Plan under development, and what they feel should be key points for inclusion.

The event is free to members and £10 to non-members to cover refreshments on arrival and a buffet lunch, prepared and delivered by the association committee.

For more information, email Mr Hymers at david@davidhymers.com or the association secretary Jim McCarry at jim@lowbyer.com