THE hand of friendship was extended across the red rose border into Yorkshire when Bowland Transit bosses invited civic dignitaries to pay a visit.

Specially printed Lancashire passports sealed an invite to cross from the Settle area of North Yorkshire into the 'enemy territory' of Lancashire for a day-long trip designed to show the beauty spots that can be visited by bus.

Twelve visitors had their passports stamped at a Tosside 'customs post' before travelling on to Slaidburn, Dunsop Bridge, Whitewell and Clitheroe.

At each stop they were shown the wealth of attractions that Lancashire can offer Yorkshire day trippers, as well as learning more about Bowland Transit buses.

Coun Jean Yates, Lancashire County Council cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: "Relations between Lancashire and Yorkshire have been most in the news recently because some 'Welcome to Lancashire' signs have been destroyed on the Yorkshire border!

"It makes as much sense for Yorkshire people to use the service to get to Lancashire as it does for Lancashire people to get to Yorkshire."

The trip included a brief history of Slaidburn and Tosside, an explanation of the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and of the work of the county council's local countryside officer, as well as a walk, a visit to Slaidburn's Heritage Centre and a talk at Dunsop.