Norwich's special buildings will be the subject of a series of guided walking tours starting next week.

Norwich 12 tours will offer those taking part the chance to get a taste of the heritage the city has to offer and experience some of the city's 1,000 years of history over the course of a few hours.

Led by a blue-badge guide and staff from the individual landmarks, there will be four tours, with each taking in three of the Norwich 12 buildings, and visiting interiors where possible.

Started in 2006, the Norwich 12 group includes buildings from the Norman, medieval, Georgian, Victorian and modern eras, and comprises buildings as diverse as the Great Hospital, Norwich Castle and Surrey House. Many of the sites are not normally open to the public.

The tours are run by Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART), in conjunction with Norwich Tourist Information Centre (TIC) and the Blue Badge Guides.

Michael Loveday, chief executive of Norwich HEART said: 'Even if you've already visited some of the Norwich 12 buildings, the tours are still one of the 'must-do' attractions on offer in Norwich over the summer as the guides' extensive knowledge really brings the stories behind the buildings alive.'

The tours will run on Thursdays and Fridays from Thursday, July 21 until Thursday, September 22 and last around two-and-a-half hours. Tickets includes a voucher sheet with money-off vouchers valid at several Norwich 12 buildings, as well as caf�s offering refreshments at the end of the tour.

Each tour is limited to a maximum number of 15 people, with tickets costing �10.

The Norwich 12 tours were started in 2006 to develop the 12 buildings into a family of heritage attractions.

They form part of HEART's Shaping 24 project, a cultural heritage and tourism initiative which takes forward the Norwich 12 project with the Belgian city of Ghent. The tours link in with other areas of the project which aim to maximise the access of the 24 outstanding heritage sites.

Shaping 24 is funded by the European Union's European Regional Development Fund.

For more information about the Norwich 12 tours or to book, visit Norwich toruist information centre in The Forum or call 01603 213999. Leaflets about the tours are available from each of the Norwich 12 buildings, Norwich HEART's office in The Guildhall, Colman's Mustard Shop and Museum in the Royal Arcade, and online at www.norwich12.co.uk.