PLANS are in the pipeline for new, interactive maps to welcome visitors into Hexham.

At Monday’s Hexham Town Council meeting, Mayor of Hexham, Coun. Tom Gillanders told councillors he had been in talks with a local graphic designer about the plan.

Speaking after the meeting, Coun. Gillanders said the hope was to use maps currently available from Hexham Community Partnership and Hexham History Society, and add interactive elements to them.

They would be on display at Hexham railway station, the Wentworth car park and the town’s bus station.

Coun. Gillanders said the map which was at the bus station had already been removed, leaving a blank space, while the one at Wentworth was 10 or 15 years old and in need of replacement.

“I think it’s a very solid idea, in the very early stages, and what we’re hoping to do is involve other parties in the community,” he said.

“The next step will be getting a meeting together with all the stakeholders and thrash out what we want the map to do and what story we want it to tell.”

It is hoped that the installation and artwork would be funded through sponsorship, while Steve Pardue, the designer, had offered his time on the project for free.

Coun. Gillanders said he hoped work on the project would be started by this summer.