A volunteer group which helps to point visitors to Durham in the right direction have received a £750 shot-in-the-arm from the city’s freemen.

Durham Pointers, who can be recognised by their distinctive pink tabards in the city Market Place, will be able to cover almost half of their running costs for the coming year thanks to the latest donation from the freemen’s charitable trust.

The work of the group of 65 local people who operate in all weathers, from Easter to October, has earned recognition in the 11 years since its inception.

Past winners of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and gold awards from tourism bodies in the region, it is thought they have provided assistance to almost 100,000 visitors to Durham in the last two years alone.

The running costs for the coming year assisted by the latest donation will cover various administrative aspects of the Pointers’ operation, including public liability insurance, maintenance of its Market Place tricycle, as well as replacement of equipment and upkeep of its website.

Eric Bulmer, who chairs the freemen’s charitable trust, said: “We are pleased to continue supporting such a worthwhile charity which sits in the heart of the city and provides such a valuable service to both the community and visitors alike.

The Northern Echo: Alan Ribchester, left, and Eric Bulmer, of Durham Freemen, with Geoff Thistlethwaite, centre left,

Paul Turgoose, of the Pointers, said: “Durham City Freemen have been hugely supportive over several years, providing much needed funding to buy individual tabards for all of our volunteers.

"It has also enabled us to design and print a variety of leaflets to assist visitors to the city, including a children’s quiz leaflet.

“Their latest contribution will assist enormously in meeting normal day-to-day running costs, often the most difficult to raise funds for.”

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The Pointers were formed in 2021 after the closure of the city's Tourist Information Centre as a means of assisting the many summer tourists and other visitors to Durham.

During their six to seven-month annual operating season the Pointers can be seen in the Market Place between 9.30am and 3.30pm, from Monday to Friday, from 10am to 2.30pm on Saturdays and 11am to 3pm on a Sunday.

The group's website carries lots of information of use for first-time visitors to Durham, with suggestions of days out and walks in the city, as well as public transport information.