A DRIVE to attract more tourists to Richmond is being hailed a success.

More than 100 guests from the North gathered for Richmond Heritage Day.

Just over half were civic dignitaries from councils as far afield as Carlisle and Gateshead.

The remainder of the guests were from tourist information centres.

Organisers hope the day will lead to an increase in visitors to the town.

There were tours of Richmond Castle, the town's three museums, the old station building, the Georgian Theatre, Temple Gardens and the award-winning Millgate House gardens.

The tours were followed by a short welcome and audio-visual presentation about the town and its history. There was also the cutting of a Corporation Cake, made to a recipe more than 300 years old.

Mayor Stuart Parsons - who led the Heritage Day project - said he was delighted with the response and hoped it would lead to bigger and better things.

He said: "I think we have achieved much more than I had hoped. If people are already talking about coming back, then that has to be seen as a success.

"I would like to pass on my thanks to all the volunteers who helped. It is all very well having ideas, but they don't become a reality if no one is willing to help."

Coun Parsons has already secured a second term as mayor on the strength of his Richmond Pride Initiative - taking part in a number of weekend litter-picks to inspire community spirit.