NEW leaflets have been launched by an Oswestry tourism group to encourage people to be local tourists in the town.

Visit Oswestry, run by Oswestry Borderland Tourism, is urging people to step out and enjoy their local area as the government roadmap eases travel restrictions.

The group has launched two new leaflets which include new photos by Graham Mitchell, and a map of Oswestry town centre, which will guide visitors around the town and show off its hidden gems.

Karen Pringle, from the Tourist Information Centre in Oswestry, feels now is the perfect time to launch the leaflets.

She said: “As we are now allowed to meet with more people and go out a bit more, we thought it would be the perfect time for local people to have a look at their own town and enjoy seeing glimpses of Oswestry’s past that they might not know about.

“It’s surprising how many local people have never climbed up Castle Mound or walked up to Oswald’s Well.

“The maps are going to be easy to find as we are installing map dispensers at key points around town, and you will be able to get a copy of the trail from The Tourist Information Centre at Castle View or download or order a copy online from www.visitoswestry.co.uk ”

The organisation wants people to “shop local, eat local, stay local and explore local before enjoying the freedom to travel further afield.”

Lee Lucks, Visit Oswestry Chairman, said many people have started to appreciate what they have on their own doorsteps and they have embraced the opportunity to find out more.

She wants people to support the businesses across the market town.

“The maps are just a small part of the new promotion that we will be doing over the summer to bring more visitors to Oswestry and the Borderlands,” she said.

“Working with Oswestry BID and Oswestry Town Council and with funding from the Marches LEP Small Towns Fund, we have not only produced 65,000 copies of the maps which will be distributed throughout Shropshire and around the rest of the UK, but have also updated the town map boards, installed map dispensers and had the town signposts and bollards repainted.

“We want to do everything we can to ensure both local people and visitors from further afield get to know and enjoy this lovely area.”