A DRY ski slope in Darwen and a Wigan Pier-style attraction on the canal at Eanam are among ideas being considered to boost tourism.

New facilities in parks are another way residents believe Blackburn with Darwen Council could attract more people, following a two-month consultation.

And ideas on how to capitalise on the area's current attractions also include better promotion of Darwen's wide range of restaurants with a 'cuisine trail' and employing pensioners as tourist guides to show off the area's heritage.

Now council bosses are to look at the ideas put forward as they draw up a battle-plan to turn Blackburn and Darwen into tourist hotspots.

Currently, the borough caters for around 202,375 'stay' breaks a year, with the majority staying with friends.

This week, councillors will approve the creation of a tourism strategy which will involve an audit of existing facilities, plans to increase tourist numbers and looking for funding.

The pier suggestion for Eanam includes trying to recreate the canalside at the time of the Industrial Revolution and promoting heritage.

Calls were also made for better use of the borough's parks with suggestions that one could have attractions similar to Blackpool's Stanley Park, including boating lakes and ramps for bikes and rollerbladers.

Regeneration supremo Coun Andy Kay said: "The dry-ski slope and things in the parks are all ideas, but what they all show is there appears to be a desire to get an attraction which will draw in visitors.

"This is something we will now work on, but we have to remember that this is Blackburn and not Blackpool and we need to get something appropriate."

The need for hotel accommodation and better promotion of other accommodation such as B&Bs was also raised.

But most immediate thing people want to help attract new visitors is a cleaner borough - something which is set to happen this year after the council agreed to pump £750,000 into tidying the towns.

Coun Kay said: "Tourism is a key tool for regeneration and job creation in Blackburn with Darwen. It also plays an important part in promoting a positive image of the area, helping to foster civic pride and improving the quality of life."

Paul Schofield, who owns the Shalom B&B, Livesey Branch Road, said more initiatives like The Road To Nab End tours, which cash in on William Woodruff's best-selling book, would boost tourism and attract those in their 50s and 60s.

Historian and tour guide Simon Entwistle said: "I have parties coming from places like Newcastle and are very interested in the architecture and history but at present they have to stay in hotels in Manchester."