Macclesfield's unique silk heritage has earned its membership of an exclusive international club.

The town has joined the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Silk Road programme – a network which weaves together the 26 key players along the Silk Road, most in central Asia.

The main aim of the scheme is to boost tourism and trade.

Penny Asquith-Evans, the town’s Silk Heritage Trust director, said: “It’s an exciting development for the Silk Heritage Trust and for Macclesfield, with opportunities to link into a well-established international tourism network, and to build trade, cultural and education links to other member states along the Silk Road.

“This will, at last, put Macclesfield on the map as a significant piece of the world silk story.”

A UNWTO delegation toured the town’s silk hotspots before adding it to the programme as an associate member.

They inspected each of their four museums, shops and watched silk fabrics being woven in the working museum at Paradise Mill.

Alla Peressolova, manager of the UNWTO Silk Road programme said: “The strong Silk Road brand offers tremendous opportunities for local community projects to both Macclesfield and the other members of the Silk Road programme.

“We were all impressed with the exceptional silk heritage in Macclesfield and the hospitality of all the people we met.”

The delegation also met with MP David Rutley and town mayor, Councillor David Neilson.

Afterwards, Mr Rutley said: “This is great news for Macclesfield and a huge boost for tourism.”