DORCHESTER'S history is being used to greet new visitors to the county town.

Welcome to Dorchester - a glossy guide that includes attraction leaflets, event listings, a town map and details of the town's history was launched at a colourful ceremony yesterday.

It has been produced by the Business Improvement District (BID) project with funding from Dorchester Town Council and World Heritage.

Chamber president and town crier Alistair Chisholm launched the initiative with residents dressed as characters from the town's history at the town pump. Mr Chisholm said the pack had been released to coincide with the start of the tourist season.

He said: "Some of the most exciting things in our town happen from now on.

"This pack will be given free to all accommodation providers in and immediately around the town.

"It is a nice way to welcome people here.

"Dorchester is small and compact and it doesn't take long to reach a whole range of exciting things.

"This pack highlights all the attractions there are. It has a selection of leaflets and is very Dorchester-specific - the only criteria we have is that things in the pack are based in and immediately around the town."

Welcome to Dorchester will include details of cafés, shops and restaurants as well as the popular attractions of Dorset County Museum and The Dinosaur Museum.

Mr Chisholm said the Tourist Information Centre in Antelope Walk had played a big part in the distribution of the packs.

He said: "We are getting people to get the most out of Dorchester and making people realise how much there is.

"But what goes into the pack may change over time as people approach us."

Dorchester Mayor, Coun David Barrett said: "This is yet another initiative for Dorchester that will promote the town even more.

"It took a lot of work and a lot of co-ordination."

About 15 hotels are being supplied with the packs to start with.

Future copies will then be produced with funding from the BID.