PRESTON -- its plentiful shopping areas, stylish dockland and glorious parks -- is to star in its own television commercial.

The advertisement, which aims to capture the city's best side, was being shot around Preston and will be shown during the interval of Coronation Street from Friday, May 30, for a fortnight period.

It is hoped the advertisement, organised by Preston City Centre Management Company, will boost the number of visitors to the city and put Preston on the map as a leading commercial North West hub.

City centre manager Carl Speight said: "This is the chance for people to see England's newest city in the best light."

Familiar scenes will form the background of the commercial including The Harris museum and library, The Fishergate Shopping Centre and Winckley Square.

Other city centre sights include Miller Park and Browns cafe bar ahead of a sunset on the Ribble at the close.

Mr Speight said: "We don't want to knock Manchester or Liverpool off the top. But we do want to let everyone know that now and in the future we will be in competition with them.

"This is a way of getting into the North's consciousness."

A rich list of 571 of the country's constituencies placed Preston 395th on a 'real wealthiest' list. South Ribble faired better at number 56 on the list. Chorley scored even higher, in 32nd place.