Alston's award winning Tourist Information Centre (TIC) celebrates its 10th anniversary on 1 April and the local community and businesses are coming together to join the TIC staff in celebrating their achievements from 1-3pm at Alston Town Hall.

Now part of Alston's Local Links Centre, the TIC has provided over 130,000 people with a wealth of information about things to do and places to see in Alston, the North Pennines and the Eden Valley. Last year, the TIC's staff won the coveted title of ‘Tourism Team of the Year', at the annual Cumbria Tourism Awards and the Cumbria Tourism TIC of the Year in 2003.

Chairman of Eden District Council, Councillor Malcolm Smith, said: "The staff at Alston are second to none and provide an excellent service for their local community and visitors. They take a great pride in promoting their area to others and this shines through in all they do. I am really looking forward to attending their 10 year Anniversary celebrations on 1 April between 1pm-3pm at the Town Hall."

As part of the celebrations at the Alston Local Links Centre, a colouring in competition is being held in the children's library, an April Fools competition is being run (the winner announced on the day!), local businesses are putting up displays to showcase the area and past and present TIC staff are attending to mark the anniversary.

Cumbria County Councillor, Oliver Pearson, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: "The local community as well as visitors have benefited for a decade from this excellent service and staff should be proud of their contribution. Alston Local Links is thriving as a one stop shop for local people and I hope that we will see a 20th anniversary celebration in 2020."

Local people and visitors are welcome to attend the 10 Anniversary celebrations on 1 April 2010 at the Local Links Centre from 1pm-3pm for more information tel: 01434 382244 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it