CHORLEY firms have snubbed an invitation to appear on a new version of one of the most famous board games in the world.

The game -- a Lancashire version of Monopoly -- was launched by the town's very own Olympic hero Jason Queally!

But businesses and organisations from Chorley did not even get to the start -- never mind pass GO!

Graham Barnes, of Cartmell Communications, the public relations company promoting the game, said key businesses in Chorley were contacted. He said: "We wrote letters to all likely sponsors, for example football clubs, entertainment complexes, big firms, etc. Sadly, for some strange reason, these organisations in Chorley didn't want to come on the board."

The new Lancashire county edition of the world famous game is set to be a big winner this Christmas, according to Hasbro, owners of the game.

They linked up with 'games meister' Tom Kremer, of Rubik Cube fame, and his company Winning Moves, to introduce regional editions of Monopoly across Britain and Europe.

For the first time, companies were able to buy a piece of the most famous real estate in the world on the Monopoly board -- marking their square with their corporate identity.

The first regional version covered Birmingham and was made two years ago. Now there are special editions for Glasgow, Edinburgh, Yorkshire, Wales, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Newcastle, and the latest -- Lancashire.

Sponsors come from all over the county, including Bamber Bridge, Great Eccleston, Ribble Valley, Preston, Wigan, Ribble Valley, Bury, Burnley, Whalley, Baxenden, Lancaster, Rochdale, Southport and Leyland.

Among the organisations featured are Blackpool Tower, Blackburn Rovers, shopping village Freeport, Holland's Pies, and even Bolton soap powder company Acdo and Glowhite.

But Jack Wilson, leader of Chorley Borough Council, said: "We've had no literature about it at all. We would certainly have responded."

He added: "I find it quite strange that parts of Merseyside are on the game and not Chorley -- the heart of Lancashire."

Jos Hampson, secretary of Chorley and District Chamber of Trade, stormed: "They haven't contacted me. I would certainly have gone on it. I think it is awful we aren't on.

"They should have at least gone to the council who would have contacted me. This is a big disappointment."

The special launch by cyclist Jason Queally, who raced to a gold medal in Sydney, took place at Blackpool Tower recently.

But Chorley could still get a place on the Monopoly board. A new updated version of the Lancashire game is expected to be brought out in two years.