A NEW project aiming to help tourists and residents better understand one of York's greatest historical treasures is to be officially launched tomorrow.

Council chiefs have spent nearly £175,000 on an "interpretative scheme" for York's city walls - which will explain the history of the most intact medieval walls in England.

Using funding from Yorkshire Forward, City of York Council, as part of the First Stop York tourism partnership, has installed interpretative panels along the two-mile route.

A multi-media installation created by York designer, Joe Cutting, has also been created inside Bootham Bar, taking visitors on a race around the walls.

Situated at 16 key points, including Micklegate Bar, Lendal Tower and Walmgate Bar, the panels are made from vitreous enamel and stainless steel.

The new £174,000 scheme is aimed at encouraging visitors and reisdents to walk the full length of the city walls. Twelve plaques of stone and metal have also been inserted into the wall walk around the city and brass pavement markers make it easier for visitors to navigate the walls circuit. These have been produced by York-based Continuum Group.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said: "Walking around York is the best way to get to know the city.

"We're delighted that the walls are now more accessible to visitors than ever before and hope this new interpretation will encourage yet more people to discover the delights of this important scheduled monument."

Ian Tempest, City of York Council's tourism manager, said: "York's Bar Walls are the finest and most complete of any town in England and encapsulate the city's new character.

"This new initiative will greatly improve the educational and amenity value of the walls."

Other phases of the project include a £35,000 programme of cleaning and repairs and new self-closing gates for Bootham Bar, designed by blacksmith Chris Topp.