A NEW tourist guide designed to encourage overseas visitors and bring more money to Britain has failed to include Worcester.

The Heart of Britain brochure published by the British Tourist Authority is designed to promote the wealth and diversity of Britain's great countryside and heritage, yet it neglects to mention Worcester with its 11th Century Cathedral, scenic riverside walks and surrounding countryside.

The full-colour brochure is available in seven languages and was produced in partnership with national and regional tourist boards, including the Heart of England tourist board.

It includes Hereford - which is described as being "in the heart of cider-making country" and the "beautiful Wye Valley" - but the Faithful City is nowhere to be seen.

Elliot Frisby of the BTA said he regretted that Worcester had not been included but said parts of Scotland and Wales were also left out.

"There are only 14 itineraries in the brochure, nine of which cover England, and we tried to make them as representative as possible," he said. "Other campaigns will focus on cities."

The brochure's accompanying website www.visitbritain.com/tourbritain launches at the end of the month and will be more accessible to overseas tourists than the brochure. The site will introduce one new itinerary a month, although Mr Frisby could not confirm whether Worcester would be included.