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Britain’s first scratch and sniff tour guide has been launched packed with smells like steam trains, gunpowder and even the aromas of the horse racing.

Visitors to York will be able to tour the city with their nose in the book and breathe in aromas of its most historic and attractive landmarks.

From the musty old books smell at York Minster Library and horse and hoof oil at the racecourse to the pungent pong of gunpowder at Guy Fawkes birthplace at Stonegate, the innovative city guide has a smell on every page.

Created by a team of scent experts, Smell York evokes a bygone era of steam trains with the distinctive whiff of coal and engine oil at the city centre’s National Railway Museum while sulphur adds another dimension to York Ghost Walks.

And for those who prefer sweeter fragrances of the Roman city , there’s heather and lavender for national parks and the Gardens of York or mouthwatering chocolate for those heading to York Cocoa House or the Chocolate Story tour.

(Image: Getty)

Twelve glossy pictures have a relevant smell which visitors can breathe in as they go around the sites and there’s even the smell of Christmas with mince pies and burning frankincense on the York Minster page.

Kate McMullen, head of Visit York said: “Countless scientific studies prove that the human sense of smell is one of the key facets in forming strong memories.

“We commissioned this scented guidebook to give newcomers to York a fun flavour of the many lasting memories that a trip to our historic city could provide.

“Indeed, whether you’ve got a soft spot for the scents of the supernatural or a craving for the nostril-nourishing aromas of the world’s greatest countryside, York has something for every nasal persuasion.”

Tourists can pick up a free copy at the city’s Visitor Centre.