‘WELCOME back’ is the message that Ludlow will be sending out over the coming weeks and months.

Playing an important part in this will be the team of volunteer guides.

Guided town tours of the medieval centre of Ludlow have been organised for more than 40 years by Ludlow Historical Research Group.

They aim to interest visitors and locals in the history of the town and at the same time raise money to support further research into Ludlow’s fascinating history.

From Monday (March 29) the volunteers have been able to offer pre-booked tours for small groups costing £5 per person with children free.

It is hoped that it will be possible to start tours at weekends and during the school holidays, as the easing of restrictions permits a return to something like normal.

Ludlow hopes that the move out of lockdown that is expected to result in the removal of all restrictions from June 21, will bring a release of pent up demand from visitors.

“We are always keen to welcome newcomers to our group of 14 guides and if the predicted boom in tourism this summer materialises we would need some extra help,” said Mr Furniss.

“Most guides lead tours on one or two occasions per month from April to October inclusive with some extra tours during the winter.”

An interest in history will help as well as a knowledge of the town.

Ludlow, like other tourist towns, is hoping that people will want to make up this year for the largely lost season in 2020.

One of the factors that could help places like Ludlow is that at present there is a major question mark hanging over whether foreign holidays will be allowed and if they are will people will be willing to take the risk of travelling?

The tours start outside the castle next to the souvenir cannon from the Crimean War.

The 90 minute walk includes, Quality Square, St Laurence’s churchyard, the Bull Ring, Broad Street, Mill Street and introduces some of the characters who have lived and worked in Ludlow: Walter de Lacy the Norman general, who started the building of the Castle in 1086; Edward 1V; the Princes in the Tower; Catherine of Aragon; Prince Arthur; Lucien Bonaparte and Thomas.

Also featured in the walks are the likes of Farnolls Pritchard architect of the Iron Bridge; the poet A.E. Houseman, and Adrian Jones, the Ludlow vet’s son who designed among other sculptures, the quadriga on the Wellington Monument in London at the corner of Hyde Park.