A NEW APP is being launched to help people explore Dolgellau.

The project was the brainchild of Dolgellau Rotary Club, who after celebrating their centenary in 2005, set up a committee to promote the town.

The original idea was to put blue plaques on all the important buildings in Dolgellau and a considerable amount of work was put into this.

Unfortunately, due to planning regulations and some difficulty getting permission from all the householders, time passed by without any tangible returns.

Finally, after 10 years of struggle, the rapid development of technology came to the aid and they began to consider QR codes instead of plaques.

Technology progressed even further, and it was decided to create a town app which would combine QR technology with Wi-Fi and cell technology, gps and geocode mapping.

With the help of a specialist IT company and a lot of work behind the scenes by the local school and other volunteers, the app is due to come to life this month,

By collaborative efforts with Ysgol y Gader (now Ysgol Bro Idris), the Dolgellau Partnership, Snowdonia National Park Authority, Dolgellau Rotary Club and the Civic Society, among others, Dolgellau will be opened up to anyone with a smartphone or tablet, be they tourist or local citizen, and they will be able to follow trails and walks, study the history of the area, find accommodation or a business.