OH dear, the East Lancashire towns of Blackburn, Accrington and Burnley are given a rotten rating in a new travel guide out today.

They are described as "depressing" and "offering little to linger for."

And, fair enough, its compilers, Lonely Planet publications - once the bibles for budget-conscious backpackers, but now as bourgeois as any other - have a reputation for accuracy.

But, surely, their verdict on our towns is superficial.

For how long do these travel guide writers stay around to discover what a place is really like and what its attractions really are?

For it's no secret to us that East Lancashire is surrounded by stunning countryside and its towns have lots to interest and offer to visitors - whatever the Lonely Planet's inspectors may say.

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