CROSS-CHANNEL tourism will be top of the agenda when a delegation from France visits Folkestone next week.

A two-day meeting on Wednesday, September 17 and Thursday, September 18, aims to revive links which existed when a ferry service ran between Folkestone and Boulogne.

Discussions between Discover Folkestone, a subsidiary of Folkestone Town Centre Management and their counterparts in France have been going on for some time. Now both sides want to put some firm plans in place.

A delegation of 20, representing tourist offices, hotels and attractions in Boulogne and the Cote d'Opale are to visit Folkestone. While in the town they will see some of Folkestone's tourist attractions, meet the mayor of Folkestone and the chairman of the Shepway Chamber of Commerce and Industry, before a tour of a business show taking place at the Leas Cliff Hall.

Joanna Ames, head of travel company En Route which manages the Discover Folkestone Visitor Centre, said that the purpose of the visit was to exchange ideas which will help to develop tourism related business and to show off parts of Folkestone which might appeal to visitors from northern France.

Already Discover Folkestone brochures and leaflets are available at tourist offices in and around Boulogne.

The organisation has also launched a web site listing attractions and places of interest in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh, along with details of where to stay and places to eat.

The site is shortly to be linked to the main Eurotunnel website. Tourism related businesses which would like to be featured on the web site should phone 01303 258594 or email info@discoverfolkestone.co.uk