LANCASTER City Council's Head of Tourism, Ron Sands, retired this week after 12 years promoting the district as a top holiday destination.

In honour of his services to the Council the Mayor, Cllr Pat Quinton, will today present him with a bronze Eric Morecambe Statue at a presentation in the Mayor's Parlour at Lancaster Town Hall.

Born in Manchester, Ron began his career working for the local corporation at Manchester Town Hall, then moving north to work for the Lake District National Park.

In 1990 he took up the position of Head of Tourism for Lancaster City Council, wasting no time in sharing his love of the area by promoting its qualities and regarding himself as a publicist rather than a tourism officer.

Ron has a wide variety of outside interests and as an established writer intends to return to his books once he has retired but all the while intends to continue to promote his passion for the area.

Commenting on Ron's career with the City Council Chief Executive Mark Cullinan said: "It's true to say that Ron has regarded his role as Head of Tourism Services as much more than just a job.

He has lived and breathed the promotion of Lancaster, Morecambe and the rural district and has been a tireless ambassador for both the City Council and the district as a whole.

I am certain that his enthusiasm for the district has rubbed off on many thousands of visitors and have no doubt that the popularity of the area has prospered as a result.

We would all like to wish Ron a long and happy retirement."