A new app which describes the history of Wiltshire towns has been launched today.

The Explore Wiltshire app can be downloaded for free and has information about historical landmarks, cultural sites and significant events across the county.

Each town gets an audio introduction from a popular member of the former Channel 4 Time Team programme Phil Harding.

The app has initially launched featuring information and trails for Bradford on Avon, Chippenham, Cricklade, Devizes, Salisbury and Warminster, plus a link to the Explore Malmesbury webpage.

It was made by Wiltshire Council in collaboration with town and parish councils and Bristol-based app developer Calvium and replaces the Salisbury Trails app that launched in 2020.

Council Leader Richard Clewer said: “The app is important because there are so many stories to tell in Wiltshire.

“In Salisbury for example you’ve got the great story of the Duke of Buckingham being executed on the orders of Richard III behind what is now Debenhams.

"His ghost is supposed to haunt the top floor of Debenhams and his severed head was then carried to the King who was in what is now Salisbury Museum where apparently there was a blood stain that can never be removed. I don’t know where it is but apparently, it’s there. The museum assures me if I come along, they’ll find it.

“We wanted some way of telling those kind of stories and getting people into our towns and getting them to walk around our towns to notice buildings they wouldn’t normally notice. Then while they’re here they might have a coffee or do some shopping so it’s a reason to drag people back into our town centres because so much shopping is now online, even supermarkets.”

He added: “The information on the app can probably be found on the internet somewhere but that’s not the point. It’s an interactive tour. There is nothing like this app, nothing at all.”

Dr Harding said: “I love Wiltshire. It’s my home. It’s where my heart is. If I can do something to promote my county to residents and to tourists coming in, I’ll do it.

“There’s a lot of people who live in Chippenham for example who never look at Chippenham and understand what they’re seeing. So, it’s not just for tourists it’s for anyone who wants to learn a little more about the place they’re in.”