BOSSES at the University of Central Lancashire and furious tourism chiefs have hit out at a new book which likens Preston's campus to 'a Benidorm fish and chip shop'.

The Push Guide to Universities, published by McGraw Hill, is available to all further education students, and claims to provide independent views of all Britain's universities.

But the picture it paints of student life in Preston is less than appealing, describing the campus as being 'as remarkable as a fish and chip shop in Benidorm', adding that the town's pubs and clubs 'are too tacky for words. Well, no, tacky will do'.

It also suggests that students should leave locals alone and stick to their 'own pubs' near the university. The town, it is claimed, is also home to 'sadistic clampers'.

Cheryl Elliott, press officer for UCLa's Student Union, said students were very disappointed by the description of their uni.

She said: "The relationship between the students and locals is very good And to describe the clubs as tacky is beyond belief."

She added: "The Push Guide is the book all further education students refer too when choosing their university and this turn them against coming here."

Preston tourism officer Petra Savage was appalled by the book's verdict on Preston.

She said: "One can only hope the other entries are equally as negative. It hardly portrays Preston in a good light, especially when considering the wide range of leisure facilities available in the town, which have been overlooked."

A spokesman for publishers McGraw Hill said they always tried to produce a fair account.

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