A TOURISM agency has launched a new VIP Pass.

Visit County Durham (VCD) issues the passes to visiting media and partners in its Visitor Information Network.

The 2013-14 pass includes free entry or discounts for nearly 30 businesses and attractions across the county.

Last year, about 180 passes were issued.

Five new attractions have signed up this year: Diggerland, near Langley Park; Tweddle Children’s Animal Farm, in Blackhall Colliery; the Prince Bishop River Cruiser, in Durham City; Binchester Roman Fort, near Bishop Auckland; and Auckland Castle, which reopens on April 1.

VCD chief executive Melanie Sensicle said: “We give passes to all visiting media, so they can experience our key attractions first hand and to our Visitor Information Network partners in order that they can improve their knowledge of Durham’s tourism offer.”

English Tourism Week ends tomorrow (Saturday, March 23).

Tomorrow, free architectural walks around Durham World Heritage Site will begin at 10am and 2pm. Places must be pre-booked. Call 0191-334-3805.

On Sunday, there will be talks by experts at Durham University’s Oriental Museum. The focus will be China at 1pm, Ancient Egypt at 2pm and Japan at 3pm.