By Karen Stephen A NEW book listing the top tourist attractions around the country has warned that steep admission prices and the reluctance to lower them could spell trouble.

Authors of The Good Guide to Britain says high entrance fees and the strong pound will affect both British and foreign visitors -- some holiday attractions now carry the equivalent of a 25 per cent price increase.

Blackpool Tower was the main culprit, according to the book, which pushed up admission by 10pc, followed by Granada Studio Tours at 15.4pc. St Paul's Cathedral followed at 14.3pc.

But Leisure Parcs, who took over the running of Blackpool Tower last summer, said they were reviewing facilities at the Tower in line with their policy to provide "value for money".

But things don't look too bad closer to home.

The guide says "there are quite a lot of places to visit in Bolton" and, of course there are.

Warburton's Bakery on Hereford Street provides free tours by arrangement from Tuesday to Thursday. For details ring 01204 523551.

And Smithills Hall on Smithills Dean Road is described in the book as an "interesting (though much restored) old manor house with a splendid drawing room."

Plans to develop this as a living history museum are already being discussed. Admission is £2 (£3 if you want to get into Hall i'th' Wood.

And, of course, there's the museum and art gallery on Le Mans Crescent with its Egyptian mummies and sculpture shop. Admission is free.

The Last Drop Village is also mentioned "rustic and quaint" and Turton Tower is described as a "Renaissance house with Elizabethan buildings".

And, only just, slightly further afield is Wigan Pier, awarded Lancashire Family Attraction of the Year by the book.

This is an entertaining wharfside centre that re-creates life in the early 1900s.

Officially opened in 1986 by HM The Queen and Prince Philip -- who enjoyed role play in the Victorian classroom -- the centre has gone from strength to strength, attracting visitors from all over the country.

The guide describes it as being "an ingenious mix of museum and theatre, with professional actors performing in reconstructed settings over the main three floors of exhibits".

Admission is £5.10 adults, £4.10 children and £14.50 for a family ticket (two adults and two children).

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