ALMOST £11 million is to be ploughed into attracting tourists to the area. The cash will pay for projects, approved by the Lancashire Tourism Partnership as part of a seven-year £38 million programme. Partnership chairman Anthony Goldstone said: "These projects are the first hard evidence that we are more than just a talking shop."

He added: "I hope to see tourism given significant prominence in the new regional policies, as it is one area where we can create jobs quickly.

"Lancashire has a great deal to offer as a tourist destination and it is our job to maximise that potential over the next seven years, working together to establish a platform on which we can build far into the future."

The LTP Board approved eight projects to be undertaken over the next seven years. The cost of the projects will be met from a £7.5 million Single Regeneration Budget allocation and funding from various public and private sector partners. Initially the projects will receive £416,000 from the SRB, with further funding being provided subject to performance in years one and two. The eight projects aim to:

improve accommodation standards by use of ratings

educate more young people about the tourism industry

encourage small and medium-sized businesses to raise standards

promote higher education in tourism, at degree and post-graduate levels

introduce a computerised reservation system

increase the number of tourism businesses which have adopted 'green' procedures

promote tourism-friendly attitudes in other, connected industries, and

market the county as a conference and short break location.

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