A NEW website to promote Kendal and boost visitor numbers has been unveiled.

Visit-kendal.co.uk is a new destination website which aims to promote the town's "distinctive offer" to locals and visitors.

It provides a one-stop-shop for information about the town, including its retail, arts, culture and leisure offer, events and festivals and history and heritage.

It also provides practical guidance for visitors plan a trip to the town, including information about travel, transport and public toilets.

The website was led by Kendal Futures in partnership with the project’s funders Kendal Town Council, Kendal Business Improvement District and South Lakeland District Council. Visit-kendal.co.uk was designed and developed by Cactus Creative, based at The Factory in Kendal.

Three new leaflets - a welcome to the town, a culture guide and a guide to Kendal walking trails - were also launched.

They are available to download from visit-kendal.co.uk.

A social media wall on the website will collate the Instagram, YouTube and Twitter posts of local people who are urged to use #kendal or #visitkendal to see their posts featured.

A business directory will enable website visitors to search for Kendal’s shops, cafes, restaurants and accommodation providers as well as events and festivals.

The official launch at Kendal Town Hall, on Thursday, was attended by partners and stakeholders from across the town who it is hoped will benefit from the website and leaflets in future.

Martyn Nicholson, chairman of Kendal Futures, said “We were delighted to lead this exciting partnership project to develop visit-kendal.co.uk.

"The new Kendal website helps us promote the town in a more unified and positive way. We hope it will increase the appeal of the town to visitors, businesses and local people and ultimately benefit our wider economy.”

Kendal Mayor Stephen Coleman said: “Kendal Town Council have funded and championed Kendal’s new promotional drive because we believe Kendal has so much to offer both residents and visitors.

"We wanted to show case our many award winning cultural attractions, fantastic businesses and beautiful green spaces all of which now benefit from an increased presence both online and in leaflet format throughout Cumbria and beyond."