VISITORS to Ryedale can now pick up four themed guides showcasing more than 100 local businesses, thanks to a partnership between the town councils, businesses and Ryedale District Council (RDC).

Funded through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the leaflets are part of a campaign which inspires tourists to visit businesses in all the five market towns.

“We have over 380,000 overnight stay visitors to Ryedale every year,” said Gary Housden, the RDC's head of planning and regulation.

“We want to ensure that they can explore our fantastic artisan food and drink businesses, visit artists inspired by the history and landscape, and opportunities for getting right into the scenery.”

The guides were created by Norton-based design business Ten Fathoms and printed by InPrint in Malton.

It is the first time that artisan food and drink businesses have been highlighted as part of a tourism promotion campaign in Ryedale and to encourage hotels, B&Bs and self-catering cottages to stock locally-produced food and drink, to support the economy and also reduce food miles.

Each business has an interactive listing at visitryedale.co.uk