Volunteers have taken to Dover’s streets to welcome visitors to the town, and direct them to local attractions.

The Dover Greeters scheme is a town council initiative and involves people wearing easily-identifiable blue coats and baseball caps walking around the town providing information.
One of them, town councillor Chris Precious said they were generally “talking-up” the town.

“The greeters carry maps, doggy-poo bags and other things to help visitors and residents alike,” he said. “For a start we will be in the town whenever a cruise ship is in the harbour. With more volunteers we will be able to spread this over the whole summer period. If anyone would like to volunteer simply get in touch with the town council and ask about Dover Greeters.” The council can be contacted on 01304 242625.

But district councillor Roger Walkden has accused the town council of taking the idea from him.

“Sounds like they have taken a leaf out of my tourism strategy and plan of action,” he said. “I guess it doesn’t matter too much who’s idea it is so long as the initiatves are taken up.

“Many projects and initiatives I created were turned down and then re-appeared some time later as someone else’s idea."