LIFE in 17th century Lancaster is set to pull tourists to the area on the trail of the Pendle witches.

A promotion to capitalise on the true story of the Pendle witches has been launched displayed at the British Travel Trade Fair in Birmingham this week.

The initiative, combining the forces of Lancaster Tourism, Pendle Borough, Ribble Valley and the county council, is designed to give visitors and locals alike an insight into medieval Lancaster.

Historic sites in different parts of Lancashire, including Lancaster Castle and the Judges' Lodgings, are to be linked by a 'trail' leading tourists through the story of the witches.

A spokesman for Lancaster Tourism said: "The true story of the Lancashire Witches provides a moving, dramatic and poignant insight into the social history, religious background and judicial conditions of England in the early 17th century.

"The consortium of Lancaster Tourism, Pendle Borough and Ribble Valley District Council believes that a fresh interpretation of this chapter of local history would capture the imagination of tourists at home and abroad."

Staff at Pendle Borough Council are producing a brochure to tell the tale and this week visitors to the UK's biggest travel fair were faced with large posters advertising the scheme as part of the Lancaster exhibition.

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