A TOURISM expert is to visit part of the North-East to try out local attractions and advise how the area should be marketed overseas.

Sir Michael Lickiss, the man charged with promoting Britain abroad, is to sample the best the Tees Valley has to offer as a tourist destination.

As chairman of the newly formed VisitBritain tourism agency, Sir Michael chose the North-East as his first port of call on a fact-finding tour of the country over the next few months.

Development agency One North-East, which is keen to demonstrate the quality and range of visitor attractions from Northumberland to the Tees Valley, is hosting the visit.

Tim Cantle-Jones, member for tourism at One North-East, said: "We want to show how important tourism is to the regional economy, and meet the people whose businesses and jobs now depend on the sector.

"We want people to see the North-East not as just a way to get from York to Scotland, but a wonderful place, with plenty to offer every kind of visitor."

Sir Michael will visit Hartlepool's Historic Quay, the award-winning HMS Trincomalee, and will meet Krimo Bouabda, owner of two successful restaurants in the town.

An active supporter of tourism in the Tees Valley and a member of the Hartlepool Passport Group, Mr Bouabda is also a member of the Premier Crew, a group of restaurateurs who promote fine food and eating out in the area.