PROUD Prestonian Robert O'Gara is entering cyberspace in an attempt to tell the whole world how great Preston is.

Robert, of Lane Ends, Preston, has created a lavish website dedicated to his home town.

And it has become such a hit on the worldwide web that Robert is now spending all his spare time helping people plan holidays here.

He said: "It just started off as a project but it has caught people's imagination. I get stacks of e-mails now, asking for information and directions to places.

"People coming for a North End game ask what else there is to do in the town and I am more than happy to tell them."

Robert's website includes a detailed history of Preston and a photographic guide to the town, showing off areas such as Ashton Mill and Riversway.

And according to Robert, details of the town have become a real hit in America and Australia!

He said: "I get a lot of e-mails from far-flung places asking about the town.

"But that wasn't the aim of the site. I just wanted to research Preston's history and find out if any ex-pats could give me information."

He has even provided details to Internet surfers, helping them to trace long-lost family members.

He added: "A lot of people use the Internet to research genealogy. They contact me on the site and we research the details for them. It is very rewarding."

Robert's guide to Preston can be accessed at www.cix.co.uk/rmo/preston

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.