From today, even tourists who only have time for a "whistlestop" visit to Lincoln, will be able to give their family and friends a great souvenir of the city!

Lincoln Visitor Information has taken the wraps off a fantastic new website, which means people planning to visit Lincoln have an easy way of buying maps and guidebooks ahead of their stay. 

And they can also purchase their souvenirs online (before or after their visit!), which means they don't have to worry about being able to find space in their suitcases for some superb gifts and reminders of their stay - that problem is sorted at the click of a mouse! 

Lincoln Visitor Information Manager Michele Sims said: "We welcome around 90,000 visitors every year to our Visitor Information Centre in Castle Hill, just a stone's throw from two of our biggest attractions, Lincoln Cathedral and Lincoln Castle. 

"We have recently expanded our wonderful range of souvenirs and other gifts, including food items produced in Lincolnshire, and we are delighted to give  more people the chance to purchase these in an easy way - by clicking onto www.lincolnsouvenirs.com.

"Our eshop means that everyone, whether they love visiting Lincoln regularly  or are about to come here for the first time, or even live here, have the chance to buy our latest publications and gifts," said Ms Sims.

"This website is also a great way of giving newcomers to the city a flavour of  the amazing offer we have for both tourists and shoppers."

Lincoln BIG (Business Improvement Group) currently manages the city's Visitor Information Centre.

Lincoln BIG chief executive Matt Corrigan said: "Staff at the Centre are naturally happy to welcome visitors face-to-face and to answer queries over the phone, but at the same time we are keen to take advantage of opportunities to market Lincoln, and its associated gifts, online."