A HUGE number of guests were expected to attend today's launch of a new CD-Rom to promote tourism in the county.

The annual Worcestershire Tourism Forum is organised by Worcestershire County Council's Tourism Unit in partnership with all the other authorities in the county.

The council sent out more than 1,000 invitations to the forum, at Worcester Rugby Club's Sixways Stadium, where the new tourism CD-Rom will be launched.

The council said it was bracing itself for a busy day, after receiving a "heartening" response to the invitations.

"I'm very heartened by the response we've had," said Kathryn Wagstaff, tourism officer with the council.

"It's a busy time of year for businesses and it means that they take time out from their busy working weeks.

"I hope that the calibre of speakers has enticed people to attend. It will be a very informative and hopefully enjoyable day."

Speakers were due to include David Moyser, Visit Heart of England's chief executive, and Sir William Lawrence, Visit Heart of England's chairman.

Peter Smith, economic regeneration and planning manager at the county council, will also speak at the event, which also acts as a networking forum for businesses.