OVER the past decade, tourism has become a more important part of our economy in East Lancashire.

In some areas like the Ribble Valley, the loss of revenue caused by the restrictions forced on the countryside by foot and mouth disease has hit hard at household incomes when farming livelihoods were already under real pressure.

Apart from tourist attractions themselves, hotels, pubs, bed and breakfast establishments and village shops are obvious businesses to benefit from the spending power of visitors from other parts of the UK as well as abroad.

It is already being widely forecast that the events of September 11 might deter a lot of people, especially Americans from venturing abroad next year. But the other side of the tourism coin is that the same events might persuade many Britons to opt for a holiday much nearer home so that they avoid the need to fly.

But nobody will come to visit our own patch unless they are aware of the attractions that are here. For too long Lancashire can be accused of having kept its delights to itself by not promoting the area enough.

The growth of organisations like Lancashire Hill Country to actively market what we have to offer has changed all that by putting us on people's holiday agendas.

But these bodies and local councils are not alone in being able to help to put our hidden jewels in the spotlight. It's something every single one of us can contribute too - as Blackburn with Darwen council are pointing out.

The council is compiling a 72 page brochure detailing the borough's beautiful places and wants residents to let them know where they like to spend their leisure time.

With that information they hope to produce THE comprehensive guide to pursuing almost every pastime from horseriding, fishing and archery to nature conservation, scrambling, walking, climbing, cycling - all within the borough.

And as well as wooing visitors it's likely that the guide will astonish many of us who just had no idea what splendid places exist - right under our noses!