A NEW tourism development officer has been appointed in Pendle, in the hope of putting the borough on the map.

Mike Williams, 39, has taken over from Alexandra Holt, who left the authority recently to take up a post with Blackpool Borough Council.

He was previously tourism and marketing officer for Calderdale Borough Council, in Hebden Bridge.

Mike, who is from Prestwich, Manchester, said: "Tourism has been identified as an industry with considerable growth potential. Pendle has a lot to offer the visitor but its attractions are relatively unknown outside the immediate area.

"It is my job to help raise the profile of Pendle as a tourist destination, while at the same time ensuring that the increased numbers of visitors can be accommodated without having a detrimental effect on the local area.

"Pendle Council sees the development of tourism as a key part in helping the local economy to diversify and thrive. Not only does tourism create valuable new job opportunities, it helps to generate additional spending in the area."

"The Pendle Tourism Group, the organization that represents attraction owners and accommodation providers throughout the borough, plays a particularly vital role. I will be making personal contact with existing operators over the next few weeks.

"Anyone who is looking for advice or information on starting a new tourism business in Pendle can contact me on 661685.

"I would also like to invite anyone with an interest in tourism to a tourism conference being held as part of the Pendle Tourism Group's annual general meeting at Pendle Heritage Centre, on Thursday, May 22."