National icons Wallace and Gromit visited York as part of their very own big adventure to champion holidaying at home.

The intrepid, plasticine duo have teamed up with Visit England for their Great Adventure campaign, which is designed to boost domestic tourism. It aims to raise £80 million in additional tourism revenue and produce more than a million overnight stays.

While in York, Wallace and Gromit went shopping in Shambles and attended a cheese-tasting in Henshelwoods Deli yesterday, before rounding off the day with a visit to York Minster and a meet and greet with the city’s residents.

People had the opportunity to enter a competition to redesign Gromit. The winner will be recreated on a statue of the beloved TV dog to be auctioned in October to raise money for the Wallace and Gromit Appeal which is supporting Bristol’s Royal Hospital for Children and St Michael’s neonatal intensive care unit at St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol.

Jane Lady Gibson, chairman of Visit York, said: “We’re delighted to work with Visit England on this exciting new marketing drive, reminding Britons of just what’s on their doorstep. This new campaign will also help to encourage longer stays in the city to explore Yorkshire’s national parks and coast.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming Wallace and Gromit and we’ll be sure they leave with a special gift of their favourite tastiest Wensleydale.”