CIVIC leaders have rushed to the defence of proud Preston after the town received another slating in a new travel book.

This time, historic Preston was lumped together with Blackburn, Accrington and Burnley, all of which were described as "depressing".

The towns were blasted for having 'very little to linger for'.

Publishers of the Lonely Planet Guide describe the book as a 'warts and all account'.

Local dignitaries said 'inaccurate' was closer to the mark.

Proud mayor Rose Kinsella said: "We know somebody is not going to book two weeks in Preston like they do when they go to Cornwall.

"But to describe Preston as dull is nonsense. I wouldn't live anywhere else. We have so much." Indeed, it appears the Lonely Planet writers missed such attractions as the Guild Hall, Harris Museum, Preston North End and pretty Avenham Park.

The town is also seen as the county's shopping capital, while the arrival of the world's first FIFA-approved soccer museum will attract attention from across the world.

Coun Kinsella added: "People come from all over to savour our nightlife and we have some beautiful churches. And what better reason to linger than to enjoy a Preston Guild."

Council leader Peter Rankin, who says he has come to love Preston since moving here, added: "The whole thing is just crazy. They seem to have used a northern mill town image which doesn't apply here.

"In fact, nothing could be further from the truth."

It isn't the first time Preston has been forced to defend itself after being publicly criticised.

Last year upmarket magazine Lancashire Life described the town as 'backward looking' while the area was dubbed 'as tacky as a Benidorm fish and chip shop' in a guide to universities across the county. A spokesman for Lonely Planets said: "If you love something you should be prepared to be honest about its faults."

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