COUNCIL chiefs are set to appoint tourism advisers in a bid to boost visitor numbers to Rossendale.

It comes months after councillors controversially voted to close the Valley's Tourist Information Centre in Kay Street, Rawtenstall.

But the authority has now decided to up its work on tourism by bringing in specialist support to boost the visitor-potential of the Valley.

Advisers will be appointed to work with local businesses to coordinate events and champion tourism-related activities.

They will help to deliver the Tourism Marketing Action Plan with the following aims: l Increasing collaboration between private sector partners.

l Developing relationships between the public and private sectors.

l Working with tourism-related businesses to improve the borough's attraction to tourists.

l Developing promotional materials.

l Overseeing the production of the 2007-08 visitor guide.

Neither the cost nor number of advisers being appointed has been revealed.

Coun Janet Farquharson said: "I am delighted that the council will be providing extra support for tourism in the borough.

"We have some fantastic hidden gems in the valley and we need some expert advice and support to boost the number of visitors to the area."

The Kay Street information centre was closed earlier this year, with bosses saying it was under used.

At the time council bosses said they wanted to re-house the centre in the Rossendale Museum, but that plan never materialised.