WINCHESTER women battled the elements to launch this year's city tourist guide.

Not put off by unending drizzle, members from the Tourist Information Centre joined Winchester Business Improvement District to unveil the 12-month packed programme.

Largely inspired by success of Wolf Hall, tourist officials said they're expecting more visitors than ever to discover the 'Birthplace of England'.

The historical tours, which last an hour and a half, start on Saturday, April 18, and finish on Saturday, July 25. Tickets cost £5 or £2 for children.

Walking tours will be held throughout the year and include discovering the upper and lower parts of Winchester and well as city and, later in the year, Christmas, highlights.

From Thursday, April 9, there will be a rare opportunity to discover the more charitable side of the city.

Claire Dixon, chairman of the Winchester Tourist Guides, said: “The new thing for this year is we're doing tours for St John's charity. They want people to admire their beautiful buildings and, the fact they've been around for 1,000 years, they're still as relevant today.

“Often when local people come along for these tours, they bring along their friends and we've found locals enjoy it more than the visitors,” she added.

“So we'll be offering two free tours to Winchester residents in March to celebrate.”

In line with English Tourism Week, these free tours will be held on Saturday, March 14 and 21, to help residents find out more about their historic city.

Winchester BID Manager, Catherine Turness, said: “We are pleased to support Winchester's Tourist Guides again this year. Their tours contribute greatly in encouraging visitors and residents alike, to spend more time in the city and to appreciate why it is such a special place, for its heritage, culture, shops and entertainment.”

For more information visit winchestertouristguides.com or visit the tourist office in Broadway.