THREE attractions in the region are flying the flag as accredited visitor centres of excellence after passing a national assessment.

Kirkleatham Museum, near Redcar, east Cleveland; the Weardale Railway, in Stanhope, County Durham; and Preston Hall Museum, Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, are the latest sites to be recognised by Visitor Attractions Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS) as commended attractions.

This service, operated by the English Tourism Council, advises sites on attracting and looking after visitors.

All three newly awarded sites are part of the Train Trail, an umbrella brand, which aims to increase tourism to the region through a railway theme.

Six of the eight Train Trail attractions have achieved VAQAS standard and the organisation aims to secure this standard for all of them as soon as possible.

Published: 19/08/2004