APART from making it easier for Polish friends and relatives to keep in touch, the new Manchester air-link opens up the prospect for more convenient city breaks and holidays.

Mr Anthony Goldstone, the Chairman of the North-west Tourist Board, who was one of those on the delegation, believes there is now something to build on.

"I think this new route is attractive to both business people and visitors from both countries," he said.

Warsaw is a long way from being the prettiest city in the world, but I found it fascinating.

About 82 per cent of Warsaw was destroyed during World War II and it has been re-built on mostly utilitarian lines since.

There are many grey and uninspiring flats, but some of the impressive old buildings have been re-created in keeping with the original plans.

Restaurants and bars are thriving off spacious squares in the "old city," providing attractive tourist facilities unheard of at one time.

Our visit included a bus tour which took in various monuments to the sickening horrors of the war years.

No matter what political or economic system is in force in Warsaw, it is right that nobody should forget that the Nazis killed more than 300,000 Jews in the Treblinka death camp.

It might be a bright economic dawn for Poland, but I was glad it was raining when we viewed the Ghetto Monument, built in 1948 and currently under repair.

Sunshine does not always suit the mood.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.