PUBS in Preston might sell good ale but the people ain't half 'cold'!

That's the view of a Kenyan man who visited the city this week to poach ideas on community projects.

Mathew Kibe, 45, is a development worker from Nairobi. This is his third visit to the city and the father-of-four has enjoyed sampling local beer but he said he found Preston people "cold and detached" -- despite Northerners being renowned for their friendliness.

"Maybe it's the weather," Mr Kibe said. "People spend a lot of time with their pets and even introduce them to you."

But Preston's mayor said the African visitor should not tar everyone with the same brush.

"Generalisations like that are not helpful and just not needed," said Mayor Councillor Jonathan Saksena.

"His views are certainly not the impression I get from visitors to Preston. People here welcome others a lot more than in other Lancashire areas."

But Mr Kibe admitted that he has been keen to snap up some of the city's success stories on previous visits, including a special area for slower learners at Moor Nook Primary School in Milton Drive.

"We have now set up links with the school and the children there write letters, poetry and send gifts to children in Nairobi," he said.

And last week Mr Kibe spent time with Mark Buckley of Inner Preston Credit Union, Cannon Street, which provides small grants for projects in the city.

After previous visits to Preston Mr Kibe established his own credit union in Nairobi 18 months ago. Now he is hoping the Preston arm will come up trumps with an offer of computer software which will help them work closely on various projects.

Mr Kibe said: "People in Nairobi can now save for housing. If we get the computer software our work will become more efficient and our business will be easier."