VISITORS to the Ribble Valley can now take a virtual look at what's in store with a new interactive CD entitled "The Journey through the Centre of the Kingdom".

It was launched alongside the latest Ribble Valley Visitor Guide at Clitheroe Tourist Information Centre.

The 32-page brochure contains details of where to visit, where to eat, and accommodation to suit every budget, including hotels, guest houses, self-catering premises and caravan parks.

Around 25,000 copies have been produced and are available from the Tourist Information Office and Ribble Valley Borough Council offices in Church Walk, Clitheroe.

The guides are to be distributed throughout the national network of tourist information centres, exhibitions, promotions, advertising, e-mail requests and general inquiries through Clitheroe Tourist Information Centre.

And the guide also has up-to-the-minute information, including the area's connection with JRR Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" and the new BBC drama series set in Downham.

Ribble Valley tourism and arts officer Jane Sylvester said: "The guide has proved to be a valuable reference for visitors to the region and we are optimistic that there will be a renewed interest in the countryside after the difficulties experienced in 2001."

The new interactive walk follows the success of the "Journey through the Centre of the Kingdom" walking pack launched this year by the council's tourism department.

The 46-mile route takes walkers through many of the historic sites in the borough to the Centre of the Kingdom, the village of Dunsop Bridge, which has been determined by the Ordnance Survey as the point nearest to the centre of the British Isles.

It has been divided into eight sections and accommodation is available at the start and end of every part.

Now local walker Geoff Sutcliffe, from the Ribble Valley, has decided to combine his interest in computers, walking and photography to produce a multimedia computerised version of the walk.

The interactive CD provides sufficient information to encourage the potential walker to tackle the route, plan which important places to visit along the way and give enough detail to hand so as not to get lost.

Its format includes photos of scenery together with historic facts, which should stimulate sufficient interest to "get the boots on", whilst the detailed walking notes and maps should enable the walker to attempt the route using only a marked up Ordnance Survey map and compass.

The photos will also act as a record of the journey.

One of the most important features of the CD is its ability to link via the web to other sites so the visitor can look at other aspects, such as transport and accommodation.

Jane Sylvester said: "We were impressed to learn that Geoff had developed the original walk into this format, which offers a practical and unique product for anyone with an interest in both walking and computers."

The CDs are available from Clitheroe Tourist Information centre and the Castle Museum, Clitheroe, priced £14.99, or if your require a small supply of the visitors' guide for your tourist attraction or business contact the centre on 01200 425566 or e-mail tourism@ribblevalley.gov.uk