BOLTON and Bury have been branded as "unattractive old mill towns" lacking in culture.

Respected travel publisher The Rough Guide to England lumps Bolton into a small section with Bury, Rochdale, Burnley and Blackburn, while affording much more space to close rivals Preston and Manchester.

And to add a further body blow, its latest edition says "it's still hard to propose any serious tourist investigation" of Bolton.

It calls places like Bolton and Bury "old, unsung mill towns" before going on to talk about "unremarkable town centres and archetypal rows of housing".

Later, it says: "Although they might be thoroughly decent places to live, it's still hard to propose any serious tourist investigation."

The book has caused a stir in the town and comes just months after figures by the North West Tourist Board showed Bolton attracted more tourists than Liverpool and Chester.

The town was revealed to be the North-west's third most popular tourist destination, with 7.5 million visitors, and this year Bolton's tourism bosses are gearing up for the busiest summer on record.

Both Bolton Museum and Art Gallery and the Reebok Stadium have had rising visitor numbers.

Bolton Council leader Bob Howarth, defended the town. He said: "There's no use kidding ourselves, we are an old mill town, but there is much more to us than that and I am disappointed they have not highlighted any of our positive aspects.

"Putting it into perspective I don't think it is a blow to the town. People reading the book must just remember that they are not seeing the full picture. We are very well placed for a variety of attractions, with countryside, cities and seaside all within 20 to 40 minutes from Bolton town centre.

"We are taking advantage of our history and improving all the time. We are keeping a positive outlook and would want to emphasise what we have already done and are still doing to encourage people to visit Bolton."

Cllr Laurie Williamson, the council's executive member for culture, said: "This summer there is going to be more than ever to attract tourists - the annual Bolton Festival, the Charter Market and the Greater Manchester Youth Games." Head of tourism Barbara Howorth says Bolton has great surrounding scenery, a warm welcome, a rich heritage including attractions such as Smithills Hall, and cultural lures such as Indian emporium the House of Raja.

"Most can't get over the countryside and how friendly the people are," she said. "That's a good marker of people's perceptions not matching up to the reality."

What do you think? Write to The Bolton Evening News, Newspaper House, Churchgate, Bolton BL1 1DE or email: Drop a line...letters@boltoneveningnews.co.uk