CHINESE officials are set to be welcomed to Carlisle on a two-day visit which aims to showcase the city.

Six representatives from Maotai Town and the Guizhou Province will meet the Mayor of Carlisle, the leader of Carlisle City Council, Tullie House officials, local businesses and Carlisle Ambassadors.

Their first stop will be a visit to Tullie House at 3pm today. They will also meet a selection of food and drink businesses including John Watt and Sons, Carlisle Brewery and Eva's Organics.

Tomorrow, they will visit the Civic Centre and find out more about Carlisle's history as well as key developments including Borderlands and St Cuthbert's Garden Village.

City council leader Colin Glover, said: “The visit could provide potential trade connections and the opportunity to access global markets.

"Carlisle is a growing city and the city council is a key partner in a variety of ambitious sustainable schemes. The visit will also be a showcase for our heritage, history and tourism - all key economies.”

Michelle Masters, Carlisle Ambassadors Project Manager, said the visit presents economic opportunities for the future of the city. She said: "We can only maximise these opportunities if we work together as a business community, join forces through Carlisle Ambassadors and make these opportunities work for us to put Carlisle firmly on the international business map, where it belongs.’’