SOUTHAMPTON'S first group of white badge tour guides are ready to take on the challenge of showing visitors round the city.

The group of 21 students completed the qualification with a specialism on two of Hampshire's most historic sites.

As part of their six month course covering history, communications, research and interpretation they also became experts on Netley Hospital at Royal Victoria Country Park and God's House Tower.

And with both sites currently undergoing major restoration thanks to Heritage Lottery funding the new guides will be ready to show visitors round the iconic sites when they open to the public in 2018.

Over the summer the students helped out at anumber of events to get experience in their chosen field and received their official badges from the Institute of Tourist Guiding at the historic Dolphin Hotel.

Course director and historian Dr Cheryl Butler said: "“The students have pioneered the white badge training for our region, and now most of them will be going on to green badge training this autumn, to be able to lead tours around historic Southampton”.

Director of God's House Tower Dan Crow said: "It will be fantastic to be able to open this new addition to Southampton’s arts and heritage facilities with the support of a band of enthusiastic and well trained heritage volunteers".

Southampton Tourist Guides Association was established in 1976 and its patron is the Mayor of Southampton. It has supported more than 200 guides to obtain white, green and blue badge qualifications. It provide a range of public walks, talks and coach tours and is a "champion" of Southampton heritage.

White Badge Holders are qualified for one mode of guiding - either at a specific site, e.g. museum, cathedral, stately home, or a guided walk along one fixed route.