COLOURFUL and informative town maps celebrating ‘the birthplace of tourism’ have been installed in five locations.

A Ross-on-Wye Town Council spokesperson said: “We hope you like the new Ross-on-Wye town maps installed in our carpark notice boards at Wilton Road, Edde Cross Street, Red Meadow, King’s Acre and in The Maltings.

“We feel our cartographer has beautifully captured the personality of Ross-on-Wye and has created a unique map highlighting the town’s key points of interest including illustrations of the Market House, St Mary’s Church, The Royal and Walenty Pytel’s three sculptures.

“Replacement town centre maps for the notice board located outside the old Nat West on Gloucester Road are also on their way.”

Ross is regarded as the birthplace of the British package tour, with trips down the River Wye popularised by William Gilpin, who cruised down the river in 1770 and later wrote the ‘first travel guide’ ‘Observations on the River Wye’.