Lancashire is continuing to develop its tourism industry - but we must base this on our traditions.

As visitors pour into the region via Manchester and Liverpool airports, they will demand a blend of heritage, natural history, industrial archaeology, food both international and regional and accommodation.

The region now seems set not to disappoint them. There are seaside resorts very varied in nature, rivers which are now among the least polluted in the country, traditional markets plus an ethnic feel, hotels and restaurants as good as any in the country.

There are mill shops with bargains aplenty plus up-market establishments with local and big brand names.

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal runs through the heart of the old cotton belt, while the Rochdale Canal follows an alternative crossing of the Pennines.

The Bridgewater Canal is another waterway of note and close to Preston is the Ribble link which connects to the Lancaster Canal with the main network into the rest of Britain.

The history of railways is best told in Lancashire because in Manchester is the oldest passenger railway station in the world and which operated from 1830.

Tourists have easy access to working steam railways — the Worth Valley based at Haworth, the Embsay and Bolton Abbey line near Skipton and the thriving East Lancashire (or the Red Rose railway) which runs along the Irwell Valley which now extends from Rawtenstall to Heywood.

When cotton was king, the monarch lived in Lancashire. Throughout the county there are museums devoted to the history of the industry.

Queen Street Mill in Burnley and the newly restored Helmshore Textile Museum are a delight as are those in Manchester and Liverpool which all celebrate the age of cotton.

There are wonderful buildings, majestic monuments, stylish smoke pokes, as mill chimneys were first called, museums and a liberal dose of culture.

Those in search of Lancashire should not forget the countryside.

Pollution levels (of both air and water) are now low and getting lower and here is some of the most exciting walking country to be found anywhere in Britain.

With the failure of holiday companies in recent years foreign travel will be less popular and our area needs to make the most of its very obvious attractions.

If you want a day trip or a long stay then lovely Lankie will not disappoint you.

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