NEW signs and a new partnership are pointing the way ahead for tourism in Saltburn.

The brown signs, funded by Tees Valley Partnership, will direct visitors around the town's attractions, including the pier, the cliff lift, Valley Gardens and the Smugglers' Centre.

The newly-formed Redcar and Cleveland Tourism Partnership, which includes those involved in accommodation, attractions and eating establishments, chose its first chairman at a recent meeting in Redcar.

The man at the helm is Moorsholm bed and breakfast owner, Trevor Hawkins.

The group has drawn up a series of projects and is aiming to attract funding from the Tees Valley Partnership's Coastal Arc kitty.

Bids in April will ask for finance to cover improvement plans for the Smugglers' Centre and the cliff lift.

Julie Marsden, Redcar and Cleveland Council tourism promotion officer, said: "The brown signs are going to be a very useful promotional tool in increasing the popularity of Saltburn as a day visitor destination. And the partnership has got a lot more exciting plans in store."

She added: "It's very important to provide a structured body for tourism in the borough.

"We'll be discussing how tourism should go forward and develop projects through a variety of funding sources."