BURY'S tourism received a boost this summer thanks to the success of a selection of travel booklets.

Around 300,000 copies of the Places To Go guides were published in an effort to encourage people to explore Greater Manchester using public transport.

The guide which covers Bury, entitled Exploring Bury and the East Lancashire Railway, includes features on Bury Market, Peel Tower and the Irwell Sculpture Trail. The front cover shows the Sir Robert Peel statue in the town centre, set against the backdrop of the Parish Church.

All the guides have been published by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) and bosses have been delighted by their success.

GMPTE director Urvashi Bramwell said: "Greater Manchester has some fantastic tourist attractions from picturesque countryside walks to industrial history. We hope these booklets have made it much easier for people to explore the region using public transport. People are more likely to use a bus, train or tram if they feel confident about the service they need to use.

A total of 20,000 copies of each version of the Places to Go guides have been published so far but there are already plans to add to the range. A new booklet with discounts for popular attractions across Greater Manchester will be available from next month.

The free guides can also be ordered online at www.gmpte.com or by calling 0161 242 6040 (24 hour answer phone).