LEADING tour operators from across the country were in North Yorkshire over the weekend for a showcase event.

Ripon in Wonderland, so named because of Lewis Carroll's links with the city, was a tour designed to encourage new visitors to come to the area.

The operators visited attractions, hotels and destinations, including the restored canon's house Thorpe Prebend House in Ripon.

Canon Keith Punshon, the man behind the development of Thorpe Prebend House, said: "We put together a series of tours highlighting the attractions of Ripon and surrounding areas and we hope that this event will help to create new and additional business for the tourism industry.

'The entire programme was put together through the support and co-operation of numerous businesses, and for this we are grateful."

While in the city, the visitors heard how Lewis Carroll, the son of a local clergyman, took his inspiration from local sites to create Alice in Wonderland.

Canon Punshon said: "Ripon has a lot to offer, especially now that is has Thorpe Prebend House helping visitors to make the most of their visit to the city.

"Now we want to encourage even more all year round visitors to experience the "Cathedral City in the Dales"'.