Two top tourism chiefs were full of praise after visiting some of the county’s major attractions.

Lady Cobham, chairman of VisitEngland, and John Williams, chairman of Tourism South East dropped in at Bicester Village, Oxford Castle - Unlocked in Oxford and the city’s newly refurbished Ashmolean Museum.

Mr Williams said: “I was delighted to welcome Lady Cobham to three such different and important venues, each of which demonstrates the innovation and investment that is going into tourism in the south east.

“Tourism is a vital part of Oxfordshire’s economic and cultural life, contributing around £600m to Oxford City and £1.3bn overall within the county.”

Lady Cobham, addded: “These attractions continue to delight tourists from both the UK and internationally.”

At Oxford Castle - Unlocked, Lady Cobham presented general manager Emily Hirons with the VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Quality Assessment Scheme Award.

Mr Williams and Lady Cobham were joined by Wantage MP Ed Vaizey, the newly appointed Minister for Culture, at a lunch for local tourism businesses.