A GLOSSY guide to Burnley's shops, businesses, sport and heritage has been published to attract business and investment to the town.

The 72-page Burnley Guide describes popular tourist attractions including Towneley Hall -- once home to 17th century astronomer Richard Towneley -- Pendle Hill and the town's 1000 acres of parkland.

It gives details on the town's shopping centre, businesses and sports facilities, including the Thompson Centre and Burnley FC's Turf Moor. Education and the arts also have dedicated chapters.

There are coloured maps showing how to reach the town from elsewhere in the UK and how to find everything in the town centre.

A directory at the back lists addresses and contact numbers for hotels, exhibition and conference facilities, business support organisations and council buildings.

There is also a list of quirky facts where readers can learn that Antiques Roadshow expert Eric Knowles was born in Burnley, Queen Street Mill is 'probably' the last working steam powered mill in the world and Burnley FC holds the record for the longest unbeaten run in one season in 1920-21.

The guide was launched on Thursday at Shuttleworth Mead, a new business park in Padiham. Hugh Simpson head of economic development at Burnley Council, who oversaw the production of the guide, said: "The helps us market Burnley to investors and key decision-makers so we can raise the image of the town and improve our investment record.

"We publish it every two years when it is updated with what ever developments have happened since the last issue. We try to make each one better than the last."

Copies of the guide are available from the council's Economic Development department.