THEY are the team hoping to show off Southampton at its best.

A heritage and history organisation dedicated to promoting the city’s past has officially been launched, with the aim of boosting tourism and the economy.

The unveiling of See Southampton, which has a regular programme of guided walks to show off the city’s highlights, was celebrated at new tourist information centre, restaurant and brewery The Dancing Man.

From tomorrow visitors to the city, and people living and working in the city who simply want to find out more about Southampton’s heritage, will be able to book a tour.

Civic bosses hope that combining the walks with existing museums and attractions will extend the amount of time visitors spend in the city and help its economy.

Daily Echo:

One of the new guides is Nigel Philpott, who said the launch event went well and was attended by Southampton’s mayor Cllr Sue Blatchford.

He said: “We have asked for feedback on ways that we can work with other local organisations and we had a strong response, and we will be meeting to discuss how we can get in touch with people.”

Southampton’s most famous sites including Catchcold Tower and Castle Vault will be destinations on the guided walks when they begin tomorrow.

The tours will be timed to coincide with the arrival of cruise ships into the port, in a move designed to give tourists the chance to discover the city’s heritage.

The events will cost £5 per adult and will leave the Lions on Bargate at 5.30pm on weekdays and 10.30am and 1.30pm on weekends, while an extra 5.30pm walk departs on Saturdays.

For more information visit seesouthampton.co.uk.