Lancashire marketing body unveiled

Marketing Lancashire will replace the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board, which had previously been headed up by Mike Wilkinson. Mike retires on March 16.

The new organisation will be funded by Lancashire County Council with a remit to work more closely with private and public sector organisations to promote the county as a place to work, visit and invest. It will begin work on April 1.

County Councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for economic development, environment and planning, said: "For any economy to succeed, businesses must be given the right type of support to allow them to bring in investment and jobs to an area - that's what we aim to do with Marketing Lancashire.

"We will work closely with our partners, including other councils, to continue to boost tourism. This will be vital in 2012 with major national events, such as the Open Golf Championships at Lytham, Preston Guild and events marking the 400th anniversary of the Lancashire Witch trials.”