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Singer Katherine Jenkins has signed up to a new tourism campaign that encourages overseas visitors to explore Britain's stunning countryside and hidden rural retreats.

The Welsh star is recording a new song and album as part of VisitBritain's Countryside is GREAT promotion, which launches in September.

The national tourism agency released an image of the mezzo-soprano in the recording studio next to one of the campaign posters that reads: 'Britain's creative culture produces award-winning artists such as Katherine Jenkins. Experience the thrill of seeing them live in the UK.'

Flying the flag: The Welsh singer appears in a poster for VisitBritain's latest tourist campaign

The full details of the collaboration will be unveiled in September but the star said she would be helping to showcase our 'glorious country' through music.

A spokesperson for VisitBritain said that Katherine would be 'collaborating in a range of exciting projects showcasing the best of the UK's Culture and Heritage.'

Katherine joins an impressive list of British stars who have worked with the GREAT Britain Campaign, including Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen, Lewis Hamilton, Sir Richard Branson and Dame Vivienne Westwood.

Best of British: The star is pictured in the recording studio next to one of the campaign posters

The singer will be performing at the GREAT Festival of Creativity in Istanbul in May, which will promote the UK's culture and creativity, and will be touring the UK for a series of special outdoor concerts throughout the summer.

She said it was a privilege to be an ambassador for the campaign: 'Britain offers overseas visitors a place alive with culture and blessed with stunning scenic beauty for all to come and enjoy.

'I'm looking forward to working with VisitBritain and the GREAT Britain Campaign to bring the best of Britain to the rest of the world.'

Ambassador for the UK: The singer receiving her OBE at Buckingham Palace last month with boyfriend Andrew Levitas and, right, another of the campaign posters that showcases the UK's rural beauty

The new campaign will encourage visitors to head to the British countryside and explore the country's lesser known rural locations, including small towns and villages.

Sandie Dawe, CEO of VisitBritain, said: 'Katherine Jenkins represents our finest home-grown talent and we're honoured to have her promoting the best of Britain.

'Hosting the Olympics has given us a big image boost around the world and we are now building on this to increase visitor numbers and spend.

'This campaign aims to increase both the visibility of our countryside and the revenue that international visitors bring to the rural economy.'

Picture perfect: The campaign posters encourage overseas visitors to explore the UK's more remote locations and scenic routes including the world-famous coastal path in Katherine's home country of Wales

Conrad Bird, Director of the GREAT Britain Campaign, said: 'British creative talent has produced some of the world's best music. Katherine Jenkins is a powerful symbol of this talent, and shows in no uncertain terms why Wales, where she hails from, is known as the land of song.

'I am delighted that she has offered to support the campaign and our country by working with us.'

Minister for Tourism, Helen Grant, added: 'Katherine is a wonderful British talent with a reputation on the world stage that is going from strength to strength.

'I am delighted that she is playing a major part in promoting Britain to the world, particularly our stunning rural regions that will enchant overseas visitors.

'Our tourism sector is performing strongly, with record numbers of visits and spend and now it's about keeping this momentum up.'

Historic spot: Dame Judi Dench was pictured outside Hever Castle in Kent for a VisitBritain campaign

Visit Britain's successful 'GREAT' campaign has targeted key cities in key markets with films and image-led print adverts showcasing what makes Britain great.

London remains the biggest draw for visitors to the UK, but research by VisitBritain found that many tourists wanted to travel beyond our capital city to explore more heritage sites, add variety to their itineraries, and find unique places to stay.

Other big-name stars that have featured in VisitBritain campaigns include Dame Judi Dench, actor Rupert Everett, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and model Twiggy.

In previous VisitBritain campaigns, British model Twiggy (pictured left) was filmed on location at Tate Modern in London while celebrity chef Jamie Oliver discussed the best of British food for the ad campaign

The stars each shot a short film in a location of their choice for a series of television ads, which were shown on BBC World News.

Dame Judi chose Hever Castle in Kent, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Twiggy filmed on location at Tate Modern and the Millennium Bridge by the Thames in London, and Everett is seen at the capital's Garrick Theatre where he was appearing in George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion.

Meanwhile, Jamie Oliver discussed the best of British food and said: 'We are a magpie culture - we take the world's best bits. And it's so multicultural, whether it's the food, the fashion or the arts - it's all going on. If you can get off the beaten track you will see, find, eat and have some incredible times.'

Actor Rupert Everett filmed at London's Garrick Theatre where has was starring in Pygmalion