Harry Styles fans to be hired as tour guides in Holmes Chapel

Some 5,000 fans - known as 'Harries' - have descended on Holmes Chapel to follow the footsteps of the pop megastar in the past year.

The village has even produced its own map of the two-mile tour which the local railway station ticket officer gives away for free.

Now local leaders are planning official tours with guides hired to show adoring fans sights such as the bakery where he worked as a teen and a Chinese restaurant he once took Taylor Swift.

Applicants will need a genuine interest in the village, its history and links to Harry Styles and have excellent communication and storytelling skills.

Peter Whiers, chairman of Holmes Chapel Partnership, said: "We aim to start official tours of Harry's home village on Saturday mornings in June and weekdays in July, August and September, and will be recruiting Harry Styles fans from 16 and over to act as local guides."

A walking map has also been created (Image: SWNS)

The partnership printed special walking maps last year for the mile-long pilgrimage because of road safety issues.

The route takes in Harry's former home, his old school, Mandeville's bakery where he had a Saturday job and ends at railway viaduct where he had his first kiss.

Mr Whiers said the Harry Styles Walking Map had resulted in a big increase in visitors and businesses seizing the opportunity to cater for them.

He added: "It has been an incredible year with more than 5,000 visitors and four TV crews making the pilgrimage as the Harries continued to arrive in Holmes Chapel.

The viaduct where Harry had his first kiss is also on the tour route (Image: SWNS)

"Even the worst of the winter months has not stopped them from braving muddy banks and wet fields to pay homage at Harry's Wall at the viaduct.

"But we now think it is time for Holmes Chapel to increase what we can offer to the young visitors and ensure they return home with a memorable experience of Harry's village."

The brickwork at the base of the structure where the star is said to have enjoyed his first kiss is covered with a mass of messages and the names of teenage followers.

The partnership expects the demand for tour guides will be so great it is holding a half-day assessment session on April 20 to recruit up to 16 for the role.

Inside the W Mandeville bakery where Harry worked (Image: SWNS)

It will also publish, as a follow-up to the walking map, a tour brochure showing where Holmes Chapel memorabilia, gifts, food and drink can be purchased.

The half-day assessment session will take place at the Holmes Chapel Community Centre on the morning of April 20.

Anyone wishing to register their interest  can do so at hcpartnership.org.uk/jobs/harry's-home-village-tour-guides

The closing date for applications is April 15.