HEREFORD city centre is to be split into four tourism zones under a new 'wayfinding' system for visitors.

Eleven new map boards and 24 fingerposts are being erected to signpost the city's top attractions.

It's the latest in a line of projects delivered by Hereford BID, a body representing nearly 500 city businesses.

The new signage system to boost tourism was one of the key promises it made when it set out its business plan four years ago.

The BID (Business Improvement District) say the signs will be at main entry points to the city and key junctions around the centre.

The project was co-ordinated with Herefordshire Council.

Hereford College of Arts student Mitchell Adams was one of five students on the BA Graphic Design Course at HCA to submit ideas for the look and feel of the project and his designs were selected for their clear, modern style.

The design creates four zones for the city: Cathedral and River area, Station area, High Town area and Old Market area. These zones are depicted on the map boards and fingerposts using graphics and colour schemes.

Work to install the signs started this week and is expected to be complete within three weeks. The project will cost approx. £115,000 and is funded the BID with a contribution from Herefordshire Council.

BID Director Bill Sewell, owner of the Café at All Saints, said: "We believe the distinctive design complements the city's beautiful architecture and will be enormously helpful to visitors to the city."

Councillor David Harlow, Herefordshire Cabinet Member for Economy and Communications, added: "The new signs look great and really help to support the messages we want to promote about the city: we are a historic city with years of tradition, but we are key players in the 21st century too, with a forward-thinking outlook for our future prosperity, as demonstrated by our support for the new university and the opportunities that will bring".

Liz Hill, who runs the city's Rural Concierge service and tourist information centre, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have both the signs and the maps. They will make our job much easier and support our welcome for visitors. We are currently working with the BID on getting Coach Friendly status for the city and the new signs will support our efforts to achieve this".

Since it was set up in 2015, Hereford BID has delivered: promotional campaigns at Christmas, Easter, over the summer holidays and at Hallowe'en; Set up the Ferrous event which attracted 10,000 additional visitors in its first year; Run the hanging baskets scheme; Established additional gum removal, furniture painting and specialist cleaning services over and above those provided by Herefordshire Council; Lobbied on behalf of business on key issues; Decorated empty units; Painted alleyways; and Sorted out pigeon problems in Church Street.

It says it is well on track to deliver all of its planned projects before the end of its initial five year term.

More information about HBID is available on www.herefordbid.co.uk.