A RETIRED bus driver who thinks Accrington's bid to attract visitors is absurd has released his own tourism video to poke fun at the council.

Ernest Pettigrew, 67, of Accrington, made the video after he heard of the town's bid for cash from the European Regional Development Fund in February.

"Well, it's just ridiculous, we're not Blackpool, are we?" he said.

The video shows models of would-be attractions which Ernest thinks the council should build if it was to get the money. These include an ice rink, ski slope, club, fairground and hot-air balloon rides.

Although the model-maker said the half-hour video was just a bit of fun, it had a serious message as well and the council should look at it to get some ideas.

Coun David Myles, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture for Hyndburn Borough Council, said he welcomed any new ideas but he disagreed with Ernest and said Accrington and Hyndburn had a lot to offer.

Ernest, of Queensborough Road, who has built models for around 30 years, made the video by filming a number of models he built in his loft. The film moves from one model to another with an accompanying leaflet explaining each attraction.

"It starts with Jim Bowen in a theatre, cracking jokes, singing and making the audience laugh. Then it moves on to a number of things that I think should be included in any plans.

"There's an ice rink with music playing, a ski slope which I think should be placed up on Coppice Hill at the top of Avenue Parade, a dance club with people dancing to music and a church with people singing.

"There's also a model fountain which, unlike the one the council built near the council's headquarters at Scaitcliffe House, actually works.

"It's just a bit of fun really, it's having a laugh at the council's expense, showing them how things should work and because when I heard of the council's plans to make the town a tourist centre, I couldn't believe it."

Coun Myles said he would like to see the video and chat to Ernest but he disagreed that Accrington had nothing to offer.

He added: "There is no such thing as a bad idea and I welcome anybody's ideas. I don't think it's right though to say that Accrington has nothing to offer.

"The town and the whole area is steeped in history - we've got Accrington Stanley, one of the founder members of the football league with supporters around the world, the Accrington Pals, Oswaldtwistle Mills, which attracts huge numbers of people, the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and Haworth Art Gallery to name but a few.

"We're not Blackpool, we are different and offer a different thing but with the cinema and bowling alley, the new market and money planned for work to be started on Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre Accrington is coming along."