A BACUP man has combined his passion for the town with his hobby building web sites to produce a special online directory.

Pete Bony of Russell Street said the idea for the community site came to him in a flash of inspiration.

It went live in June and already 'www.bacuponline.co.uk' has attracted more than 400 visitors.

The new web site features information about Bacup, its facilities and community groups and Pete is currently working on a directory of businesses.

Pete said: "It sounds corny but I wanted to do something for the community because when I had looked up Bacup on the internet there wasn't a lot about the place.

"I tried to imagine what a visitor or someone new to the area might need to know then tried to fill in the gaps.

"I'm delighted with the response I have had so far. Everyone has been very positive."

The business directory will give companies a free listing and if they want to take an additional page for advertising Pete will make a nominal one-off charge to cover administration costs.

He added: "I have been contacted by businesses who want to advertise on it but the site was never intended to be a commercial venture."

But one side effect of bacuponline is that Pete is considering going into business.

He has already taken advice from Chris Brown at Bacup's business support project Top of the Valley about the developing his passion for web design into a business.

Pete said: "I am on long term incapacity benefit and want to get off it."