A BID to bring tourist business to Kirklees has been launched.

A new, free guide to conference and meeting venues in this area was launched in Leeds.

The launch was at the Yorkshire Corporate Hospitality Show at the Royal Armouries, where Kirklees had a display.

The guide, Conference Kirklees, features more than 20 venues in Kirklees, from art galleries and museums to country house hotels and listed buildings.

All the buildings are available for hire for conferences, exhibitions and meetings and can accommodate up to 1,000 people.

There are also details of support services, such as caterers, speakers and transport companies, and ideas of fun activities to entertain guests.

Dr Helen Rowe, Kirklees Council's senior tourism officer, said: "The guide received an excellent reception at the exhibition.

"We were showing the huge diversity of venues in Kirklees and the excellent cost advantage we can offer over our city neighbours."

The guide has been produced by Kirklees Conference Desk which is part of the council's Economic Development Service.

It aims to make it easier for companies to come and do business in the region and for local firms to host their meetings and events.

Venues listed include several hotels.

But it also incorporates Huddersfield University and its Storthes Hall campus at Kirkburton, the McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield Town Hall, The Deighton Centre and the National Coal Mining Museum, near Grange Moor.

In addition to the guide, Kirklees Conference Desk offers a free, venue-finding service.

With this, businesses can submit their needs and receive quotes from a range of locations 24 hours later.

Dr Rowe added: "The new guide to meeting facilities and the venue-search service are key tools for bringing `business tourists' to Kirklees.

"Their expenditure at conference venues, hotels and attractions can help to support jobs and investment in the area."

To receive a free copy of Conference Kirklees, or to ask for a free venue search, contact the Kirklees Conference Desk on 01484 221766 or email confer ences@kirklees.gov.uk