VOLUNTEERS who help guide tens of thousands of tourists who visit Durham every year have been given a cash boost by the city’s freemen.

The Durham Pointers received a £4,000 donation from the freemen in 2016, which was used to fund new designs for their familiar pink tabards, new rainwear and 30,000 information leaflets.

The 70-strong group has at least two volunteers on duty in the heart of the city every day, in all weathers, between Easter and October.

The freemen have now made a second donation of £1,350, which will be used to design a new map, showing places of interest close to Durham City, and create a new children’s quiz leaflet.

“The freemen’s generosity underpinned our work with the first donation and their continuing support allows for the further development of the free information handed to visitors who come from all over the world,” said vice-chair Trevor Carter.

Chairman of the wardens, Eric Bulmer added: “The volunteers work with enthusiasm and commitment to share our city’s historic heritage with visitors from both at home and abroad and that is something we firmly believe is worthy of our support.”