A NEW manager has taken over the running of Preston city centre and pledged to make it the best in the county.

Carl Speight, 33, was appointed chief executive of Preston City Centre Management Company on Monday.

He takes over the post from Jane Lemmon who has returned to her job as business development manager at Preston College.

Mr Speight has pledged to put Preston on the map as one of the country's finest cities.

He said: "The reason I was attracted to this position is the enormous potential that Preston has as a newly formed city centre.

"I think it can really be established as the capital of the region -- I see it very much as the third city behind Manchester and Liverpool."

Mr Speight has spent the last year studying for a masters degree in business at Keele University.

Before that he spent three years working as town centre manager in Burnley.

"In Burnley we achieved a lot in a very positive period," he said. "We attracted a lot of inward investment and attracted many shoppers and visitors. We also helped deliver lots to the physical appearance which is often as important to shoppers as what's actually on offer.

"I think that can be applied to Preston too. It's also crucial to improve the feeling of safety in an area."

The new manager, who moved to the North West in 1990 but originally comes from Lincoln, said he wouldn't just be planning on long-term schemes for the city.

He said: "We're looking to make a real difference. We want to make things exciting and fun for Preston people as well as concentrating on the bigger projects."

Jim Carr, chief executive of Preston City Council, said: "We'd like to welcome Mr Speight to his new role. We wish him success."