LOCAL authorities in the Cotswolds, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud and Tewkesbury have combined for the first time to produce an accommodation guide.

The new guide, with an introduction by BBC Countryfile presenter Adam Henson of the Cotswold Farm Park, began distribution this week.

Sally Graff of Cotswold Tourism, said: “The guide is a partnership between local authorities in Gloucestershire and our hard working tourism industry - 300 of whom back the guide with their own cash. This year the print run has been increased.”

The guide includes culture, food and drink, the Cotswold ‘Season’, family holidays, activity holidays, the sporting Cotswolds and shopping.

The guide is popular with local people looking for a B&B for visiting relatives or wedding venue ideas.

Among the Top 10 “quirky tips” for visitors to the Cotswolds are a visit to the Persian Garden of Paradise at Sezincote near Moreton and a visit to Waitrose in Cirencester to mix with picnic-buying polo mums.