The National Trust for Northern Ireland and the Hastings Hotels group are continuing their marketing agreement launched in 2002.

The Trust's 2003 visitor guide Go Enjoy Northern Ireland is sponsored by Hastings and provides information on over 30 National Trust properties.

These include Slieve Donard, the highest peak in the Mourne Mountains; the Castle Ward Estate and Mount Stewart, both on Strangford Lough and Downhill Estate in Coleraine, with its cliff-edge Mussenden Temple.

The new season began in mid-March - although many countryside and coastline properties are open all year - when the trust mascot, Trusty the Hedgehog, revealed a number of new activities at various properties.

Hastings Hotels operates six hotels throughout Northern Ireland. Details: www.hastingshotels.com / www.nationaltrust.org.uk