RAMSBOTTOM has become a thriving tourist town - thanks to the East Lancashire Railway.

The success of the Bury-based steam enterprise was recognised last night at the Manchester Business Through Tourism Awards.

The sell-out awards gala dinner at the Jarvis Piccadilly Hotel was attended by key figures in the region's growing tourism industry.

The "Railway and Steam Driving Experience" was Highly Commended in the Local and Regional Awards Category.

Judges were told that Ramsbottom's Bridge Street now has all its shops occupied - a big improvement on 1987, the year the railway opened, when 30 per cent were empty.

Mr Richard Smith, Executive Director of award sponsor Manchester Training and Enterprise Council, said: "Railway and Steam Driving Experience impressed us with the way in which they set and achieved all their targets, generating a remarkable amount of tourism in the area."

The main award in this category was won by the Manchester Storm ice hockey team for "a stormin' season" at the NYNEX Arena in the city.

The other top award winners were the Granada Studios Tour, Manchester City Council, Manchester Youth Hostel, Manchester Millennium and Halle orchestra conductor Kent Nagano.

The awards, now in their third year, were established and organised by the Marketing Manchester Visitor and Convention Bureau to recognise, promote and reward business generation through tourism in the Greater Manchester region.

Diane Lomax, the Bureau's Director of Tourism, said: "This year with the advent of Euro '96 many of the entries were linked to the tournament and relatively city centre focused.

"Despite the bombing in June Manchester has risen to the challenge and tourism figures are stronger than ever."

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