TODAY'S Bank Holiday gives families throughout East Lancashire the opportunity to enjoy some of Britain's best countryside.

And they don't have to pack up and go away for several days to do that - because it's right here on our doorstep.

The Forest of Bowland is a real jewel and one that is especially enjoyable because it is relatively unknown outside the North West.

That means we are able to take advantage of its beauty without having to jostle with the sort of crowds from all over Britain that invade large areas of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales as summer arrives.

Next month the Bowland Festival will be held to mark the 40th anniversary of the forest achieving 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' status which has helped to safeguard its future.

The status was originally given because Bowland's heather moorland, blanket bogs and rare birds were deemed to be of national importance.

Protection from unsuitable development and ensuring the survival of wildlife and plants while allowing reasonable public access are some of the all-important aims of the status.

And we all need to ensure that such protection continues to resist pressure from those motivated purely by making money so that the beauty remains to be enjoyed by future generations.