ACCRINGTON'S bid to attract tourists has received a massive boost after securing £77,000 of European cash.

GAIL ATKINSON reports on what Accrington has to offer...

NEW cash to put Accrington back on the tourism map was welcomed as a major boost today.

The funding, from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), will be matched by Hyndburn Council to establish a programme of attractions, which could include the development of Great Days Out in Accrington.

The news has been welcomed by Hyndburn MP Greg Pope and North West Tourism chairman Anthony Goldstone, who said it was an opportunity to put the town on the map.

A marketing co-ordinator will be appointed to develop visitor and shopper itineraries taking in the Victorian markets, town centre shopping, the Haworth Art Gallery, the Acorn Trail and Viaduct cinema and bowl.

Links will also be established with newly-promoted Accrington Stanley, one of the founder members of the Football League, who are one promotion away from a return to league status.

Some of the money will be used for design work for plans to streetscape Broadway, the town's main shopping street, which was used for temporary market stalls before the opening of the new market last month.

The application for funding was timed to coincide with the completion of the regeneration work, which officials are keen to use as a springboard to increase visitor numbers.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe, said: "It is important for us to promote Accrington far and wide now that we have achieved the benefits of a new market, new shops, new cinema and bowl. We want to attract new visitors to the town centre so that local people can benefit from this growth."

Town centre manager Bill Huntly, said: "The award of this grant from the European Union recognises the strong role played by Accrington town centre in improving the quality of life in adjoining neighbourhoods. The town centre offers an increasing range of employment opportunities, as well as new visitor attractions and shopping."

Nigel Rix, director of Hyndburn First, said the application had been prepared in conjunction with the board of People of Accrington and Church Together (PACT).

"It gives us an excellent opportunity to relaunch the town after the construction work. There are lots of people visiting Lancashire who really want to come and see a traditional Lancashire town and enjoy a variety of entertainment, which they perhaps wouldn't find all together in other towns that have been modernised."

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope, said: "I'm delighted. It's important we try to diversify our economic base. I know some people will think it's funny, but we should remember that in Oswaldtwistle Mills we have got one of the North West's leading tourist attractions, with half a million visitors a year. This is big business not a joke."

Anthony Goldstone, chairman of the North West Tourist Board, said: "I think it's great news for Accrington and they can now do as I suggested and bring out the very best they have got.

"They can also hopefully give impetus to developing certain parts of the town so people can come for quarter or half a day or whatever. Now Accrington Stanley have been promoted, there will be added interest. You have got to make sure people get there and see the place at its best. They should be very much part of what's happening in the rest of Lancashire. They can't be a tourist centre on their own but can take advantage of what tourism creates such as jobs, investment and improving the quality of life -- and putting Accrington on the map.

"You have got to make sure you have the infrastructure to go side by side with it and make sure there is a welcome for everyone visiting Accrington, whether it's from police, traffic wardens or retailers -- It's that welcome that will make people come back again."