NORTH-EAST tourism bosses descended on Darlington yesterday for a workshop on improving visitor attractions.

The event, at the town's Railway Centre and Museum, was set up so that rail-related attractions which are linking together as part of a heritage trail can gain the Visitor Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS) accreditation. But representatives from other organisations also attended to learn more about gaining the VAQAS seal of approval.

Visitors came from Shildon Railway Village, Weardale Railway, Woodhorn Colliery Museum, Gateshead Quays Visitor Centre, Newcastle Tourist Centre, plus South Tyneside, Northumberland, Tynedale and Stockton councils.

Organiser Angela Brockbank, from the railway museum, said: "Trainers from the English Tourism Council, which gives the accreditation, came along and used the museum as an example of good practice. They thought overall that the museum was very good."