When they appeared on the city’s streets two months ago their smart red and beige uniforms struck a note between smart officialdom and relaxed informality.

Limerick’s Street Ambassadors were a first, not just for the city but for Ireland and the pilot scheme has been judged a major success, according to an independent review just released.

Spearheaded by the Limerick Co-Ordination Office (LCO), its director, Andrew Mawhinney said there has been a very positive feedback on the Street Ambassadors’ programme from both local people and visitors from other parts of Ireland and abroad.

"They have been saying that the idea is a brilliant one that should be taken up in other cities. We really are delighted with the way the ambassadors have been of positive assistance and guidance in a number of ways to local people and visitors alike. The overall opinion is that they have made a very strong contribution to promoting Limerick this summer,” he said.

According to the review, the street ambassadors have helped over 3,000 visitors and locals in their role as roving tourist guides between June 1 and July 17.

They have also assisted Limerick City Council carry out a major clean-up of the city by reporting 61 black litter areas to the Council’s litter hotline, as part of their remit is to check litter black spots around the city.

In the period from June 1 to July 17, the majority of visitors to the city were American, at 22 per cent followed by the English, 10.19 per cent, French, 9.65 per cent, German, 6.82 per cent and Polish, 4.06 per cent. There were also smaller numbers of Australian, Canadian, Japanese and Italian visitors during the period.

"However, the second largest group of people that we assisted in one way or another was Irish, half of whom were local Limerick people,” said Street Ambassador team leader, Jean Ryan.

"Most of the information given to foreign visitors was directional and historical and a third of the information sought was practical - tips on the best places to eat, drink and shop,” she said.

"But the most positive feedback we got from tourists included praise for the city’s historical landmarks including King John’s Castle, St Mary’s Cathedral, the Hunt Museum, Treaty Stone etc,” she added.

The ambassadors said they were delighted with the response they received from local people.

"They told us they feel we are promoting Limerick in a very positive way. Overall, visitors to the city consider Limerick people as very friendly and they also said that there is a lot more to do in Limerick than is advertised. They complained that they don’t get enough time in Limerick,” said Ms Ryan.