TOURISM in Burnley is set to ‘take off’ thanks to the town’s new £7million hotel, according to council bosses.

Council chiefs said they had been focusing on ways of boosting the town’s tourism trade thanks to the Holiday Inn Express, Pendle Way.

Jacqueline Whitaker, tourism and development officer for Burnley Borough Council, said a ‘brain storming session’ recently took place in a bid to encourage tourism in the town.

She said: “The brand new hotel is the ideal place to look at ways of bringing more people to the area.

"Its service and facilities are second to none and give visitors an ideal base to explore the town’s many attractions and the surrounding countryside.

"The town has a huge amount to offer visitors and it’s great to see one of the country’s leading hotel groups acknowledging this factor by making such a great investment to the town.”

The Holiday Inn Ex-press opened two months ago and bosses said that the high-spec facilities were designed to cater to both business and leisure visitors.

Jane Walton, hotel manager said: “Burnley is a great place with lots to offer. We are pleased to play our part by offering quality accommodation and service at an affordable price.”