STAFF from tourist attractions across Lancashire have brushed up on their skills.

Representatives from venues including Hoghton Tower took part in an NVQ level three course in tour guiding.

The course was part funded by the Lancashire Tourism Partnership Single Regeneration Budget which aims to promote the industry.

"Tour guiding is an extremely skilled job and successful guides need a wide range of abilities," said Dorothy Naylor, chief executive of the North West Tourist Board which backed the project. "This qualification is national recognition of the skills, professionalism, hard work and enthusiasm of guides." The course was staged at Lancashire University.

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