I WOULD like to take this opportunity, through the pages of the Evening Telegraph to thank the tourism teams at Blackburn with Darwen and Hyndburn council for their outstanding support, participation and promotion of my five East Lancashire Ghost, Murder and Mystery walks.

I conduct three tours through Blackburn with Darwen Council, one being a heritage coach tour based on the international best selling book the Walk to Nab End by William Woodruff.

In May I had a booking from the USA. This party came to the UK not to visit London or Edinburgh, but William Woodruff's Blackburn!

I felt very proud to conduct this party when the national press criticism Lancashire mill towns as unsuitable for tourism.

What these critics forget is that Lancashire men created all the great inventions that revolutionised the worlds of spinning, weaving and transport.

None of these tours would have been possible without the help of the tourism officers and staff in Blackburn and Accrington. My advice to anyone who would like to get involved in East Lancashire tourism and start their own venture is to contact your local tourism officer for help and guidance.

SIMON ENTWISTLE, Littlemoor Road, Clitheroe.