Discover Pendle is based at the new Boundary Mill Store at the end of the M65 - which gets around two million visitors a year - and Coun. Buck was joined by a crowd of more than 400 people who went along to take part in the day's activities.

Entertainment was provided by the Red Rose Band, Pendle Hippodrome Youth Theatre and Pendle Rose.

Coun. Buck said: "It was my great privilege to open the new Discover Pendle Centre. Those of us who live and work in Pendle already know what an extra special part of the country this is.

"It has majestic views of Pendle Hill at every turning, award-winning villages, fascinating heritage and probably the best stretch of canal in Britain. Pendle has such a lot to offer visitors."

Support for the centre was provided by the North West Development Agency (NWDA), via the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board.

James Berresford, Director of Tourism at the NWDA, said: "The NWDA is pleased to support the development of this new Pennine Lancashire Gateway Centre and the innovative partnership between Boundary Mill and Pendle Council.

"This hi-tech visitor information facility will help us to deliver the information that visitors want, when and how they want it and is the perfect gateway to Lancashire."

Welcoming the new Discover Pendle Centre, Mike Wilkinson, Chief Executive of Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board said:

"Discover Pendle is a great example of how tourism information should be provided to today's visitors. Interactive modern displays and graphics are just the way to hook in visitors and get them excited about the area.

"And its location is an important gateway to the county, superbly located at the end of the M65 feeding into Lancashire''s motorway network.

Vaughan Jones, Pendle Council's Tourism Manager, added: "It was great to see about 400 people enjoying themselves in the sunshine on Saturday, with our live entertainment at the opening.

"As well as the Red Rose Band and Pendle Rose, Pendle Hippodrome Youth Theatre proved that, not only do we have plenty of 'Things to see......Things to do......Places to stay', we also have bundles of young talent that will put the spotlight on Pendle for many years to come.

"With tourism worth £75 million a year to Pendle and employing some 1,200 people, we are especially indebted to North West Development Agency and Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board for joining Pendle Council in financially supporting Discover Pendle.

"We know that, in its first five weeks of operation, some 9,500 people visited us, proving that, as the 'Gateway to Lancashire', people truly want to Discover Pendle."

The new Boundary Mill site is on Vivary Way, Colne. Discover Pendle is open seven days a week, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. till 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. till 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. till 5 p.m.