SALTAIRE as a tourism and leisure destination for Bradford workers at the end of the 19th century is the theme of this year's World Heritage Weekend.

And students from Shipley College's travel and tourism course are taking part as expert guides to help thousands of visitors expected at the April event - the first since trees were controversially removed from the industrial village's Victoria Road.

Saltaire, the River Aire, the Leeds Liverpool Canal and nearby Shipley Glen were hugely popular with Victorian day trippers from Bradford, who came by tram and walked down through the village to reach fresh air and beautiful riverside parkland.

The world famous tramway - the oldest of its kind in Britain - took Victorian pleasure seekers up to the amusements and fairground rides on the Glen.

And despite huge damage to its tracks in the recent floods, restoration work is on schedule for it to re-open in time for the Heritage Weekend.

Local narrators Saltaire Stories, including the weekend's organiser Rob Martin, will tell tales of these leisure activities with a free guided trail between the United Reformed Church in Saltaire and Bracken Hall Countryside Centre on Shipley Glen.

From 10am to 4pm on Saturday, April 16 and Sunday, April 17 the trail starts from either Bracken Hall or the United Reformed Church.

The Shipley College guides and volunteers from various groups around Saltaire will be stationed at key points of interest along the way to recount stories of past and recent history.

Throughout the day there will be a cafe at the URC and items from Saltaire Archive will be on display.

Bracken Hall will be running various activities around the flora and fauna and geological history of the area.

Shipley Glen Tramway museum, which is still open during the track restoration, will be open from 10am with trams running from 11am.

The Leeds Liverpool canal boat the Kennet, which is packed with local history, will be moored and open to visitors at the Victoria Road Bridge.

The Canal and River Trust volunteers will be demonstrating canal boat games and Friends of Roberts Park are planning a range of activities including wood carving and croquet and hopefully a visit by live alpacas.

Baildon Welcomes Walkers are also doing a guided walk from Roberts Park to the Five Rise Locks at Bingley.

"This is our sixth year and every time we take a fresh approach to Saltaire to keep it interesting," Rob Martin said.

"It's distinct from other events such as the Festival, because while being entertaining, it's also about education and heritage.

"The World Heritage Weekend is something which is shared around the world," he said.

The Reverend Caroline Andrews, who has been at Saltaire United Reformed Church for nine months, said she was looking forward to the event.

"Rob and I have been working with the tourism students for the to help prepare them and that has been a joy.

"I'm sure its going to be a great success."