A NEW heritage tour has begun this month which highlights the 'Gems of Weston'.

The tour, which was created through the Great Weston Heritage Action Zone project is aimed at getting more people out and about learning about the town.

Currently, 'Know Your Place North Somerset' are revealing tour locations one day at a time through January on their Facebook page.

A spokesperson from the North Somerset Council said: "Why not discover Weston-super-Mare’s rich history while getting out and about this January?

"Follow Know Your Place North Somerset as they showcase our ‘Gems of Weston’ heritage tour throughout the month."

The ‘Gems of Weston’ heritage tour begins at the town’s Grade II listed railway station.

The railway first came to Weston-super-Mare in 1841 as part of a line connecting the commercial ports of Bristol and Exeter.

In 1879 the B&ER amalgamated with the GWR, and in 1884 a new railway loop line was completed which replaced the Weston branch line. A new station was built on a curve in the loop line and the 1860s former station was then used for goods and demolished in the late 20thcentury.

The present station was designed in 1875-1876 by Francis Fox, the chief engineer for the B&ER.

However, by the time Weston-super-Mare Station, as it was originally known, was opened on 1 March 1884 the line was under the remit of the GWR.

The tour will feature plenty of destinations across Weston-super-Mare and will provide people with a way of learning more about the town both digitally and physically.

The Great Weston Heritage Action Zone project was developed in partnership with Weston-super-Mare Civic Society and the Health Walks initiative.

It was funded by Historic England's High Street Heritage Action Zone programme.

You can download a Gems of Weston tour leaflet including map from our website www.n-somerset.gov.uk/heritageactionzone

Follow the tour or Know Your Place North Somerset on Facebook to stay up-to-date with each new spot on the tour.