Published: 10/03/2010 09:41 - Updated: 10/03/2010 09:43

A NEW map of Ashbourne has been unveiled, and the fun piece of specially commissioned artwork is set to become the first focal point for the towns shoppers and visitors.

As part of the Ashbourne Partnership’s on-going Visual Heritage project, which is aiming to bring the town’s history to life through maps, signs and free tours, the map was created by Ilam-based artist Sue Prince.

The immaculately detailed painting, which took nearly a month to complete, will adorn a selection of noticeboards at key points around the town and will point visitors to the finest historic features we have to offer.

The Visible Heritage Project is the result of months of successful work by the Partnership to secure funding from the Heritage Lottery scheme.

The map, which is revealed for the first time in our centre spread this week, is one of the key stages of the project and partnership members hope it will help to highlight and preserve Ashbourne’s heritage by making it more accessible to tourists and residents.

The proposals for the project, which is set to develop further in the coming months, have been backed by county councillors through the Communities Priority Programme and are supported by the Ashbourne Heritage Society and the Rotary Club.

Later this month large versions of the map, complete with guides to key services and places of interest, will be installed in new hand made high quality signboards at strategic locations around the town.

Copies of the map will also be made available in booklet form from the tourist information office and as signed prints by the artist.

Partnership co-ordinator Sarah Wolfe said: “Given the changes Ashbourne has seen over the past few years, the Ashbourne Partnership hopes, by producing these maps to remind visitors and locals alike that we still have over 180 listed buildings and one of the finest Georgian Streets in Derbyshire.”