GUIDES used to meeting and greeting tourists will, themselves, receive some North-East hospitality on a whistle-stop tour of regional attractions.

The region is playing host to 50 leading tourist guides from across the UK in a bid to showcase what the North-East has to offer visitors to these shores.

A four-day event, running from Sunday, October 30 to Wednesday, November 2, has been organised by Kate Walton, of Durham, and Laura Rhodes, of Newcastle, both blue badge tourist guides in their own right.

They have devised an appealing itinerary, including Durham Cathedral and castle, Hadrian’s Wall, the Kielder Observatory, Newcastle city centre, the Angel of the North, as well as coastal Northumberland, taking in Lindisfarne, Bamburgh Castle and the Alnwick Garden.

The visitors will also have an audience with the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, councillor Hazel Stephenson, and the Mayor of Gateshead, councillor Alison Thompson.

It is considered a fitting engagement for the tour as 2016 marks the 800th anniversary of the creation of Newcastle’s Mayoralty.

Ms Walton said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the outstanding attractions of our region as well as the beautiful countryside, breath-taking landscapes and cultural treasures.”

The visiting guides will also be greeted with a special opening of the Millennium Bridge, in their honour, on Monday.