SLEAFORD Tourist Information Centre has received a national status award marking it as one of the best in the country.

The centre is now an Enjoy England Official Partner, one of only two in Lincolnshire.

Sleaford TIC has been recognised for demonstrating a quality service to customers that promotes tourism not only within North Kesteven, but also regionally and nationally.

Enjoy England, a part of Visit Britain, is the official tourist authority for England and aims to support the value of tourism across the country. Visit Britain launched its Official Partners Programme to recognise tourist information centres offering the highest level of customer service and facilities.

To celebrate the success, the centre has launched a new website, www.heartoflincs.com The new site contains many features, including information on all attractions in the district, a Google powered search facility, and an online gallery where users can view photographs of tourist venues or submit them for publication on the site.

Customers can order brochures, sign up for email news alerts, change the font size on the site or have the text read out loud.

Marion Brighton, Leader of North Kesteven District Council which runs the centre, said: “North Kesteven has a wealth of wonderful attractions, including arts, sports and historic venues, and it is fantastic to see that due to the first class service delivered at the centre in Sleaford, they are being promoted nationally through Enjoy England and Visit Britain.”