VISITOR maps pinpointing the historical and cultural hot spots of Trowbridge are going up in car parks across the town.

A total of 16 message boards will be located in car parks, the railway station and gateways into the town, to give newcomers a taste of what's on offer.

Town council officers hope the boards, costing £3,000, will help visitors find some of the town's hidden historical sites, including the Conigre and Parade House.

Contact numbers for help groups and services are included on the display boards, with directions to the Tourist Information Centre offices in the park.

Only seven boards have gone up so far, with four in Castle Place multi-storey car park and another three in The Shires shopping centre.

Nine more will be dotted around the town, including a downsized version in the soon-to-be revamped train station waiting room.

Project officer Pete Barnett said previous information boards focused too much on advertising.

"We wanted to create an interest and information board so it focuses on interesting aspects of the town's history," he said.

"On the boards we have a collection of old pictures including one of the court, the Conigre and another featuring Polebarn Road.

"We are hoping to get all the boards up by the end of February."

The money was budgeted out of council funds with the aim of improving tourist facilities in the town.