LEIGH'S Pennington Flash country park has contributed to a tourist boom.

Wigan borough has this week been named the fastest growing tourism region in Greater Manchester -- outside the city itself.

Last year visitors spent an additional £14m taking the total now generated in the borough from the pockets of visitors to £60.2m.

This includes money spent on attractions, souvenirs, overnight stays and meals in restaurants.

The 2001 North West Tourism Volume and Value report shows that Wigan contributed seven per cent to the county's tourism wealth.

Wigan Council's tourism development manager, Keith Bergman, said: "Quality attractions including Pennington Flash and the popular Wigan Jazz Festival have without doubt helped us in achieving this growth."