Research undertaken by the North West Tourist Board (NWTB) reveals many of the Region's top attractions have experienced their busiest season on record, following a glorious hot summer.

Now the children have gone back to school, summer is officially over. TheNWTB is keen to find out where the North West's favourite day out is, and will scour the far corners of the Region to find it. NWTB want as many people living, working or visiting the Region to take part in this search - by clicking on to www.visitnorthwest.co.uk and simply following the instructions on the home page.

The search has been launched as part of the run up to the North West Tourist Board Chairman Tourism Awards - the 'Oscars' for the North West Tourism industry. This year's prestigious event will be held at the City Of Manchester Stadium, recently named one of the UK's top ten architectural successes of the year, on Monday 17th November 2003. Diane Oxbury, BBC, will present the awards at the ceremony that is expected to attract more than 250 guests.

Anthony Goldstone, Chairman of the North West Tourist Board said: "Where is your special place? We want as many people as possible to log on to take part in this very special award by logging on to www.visitnorthwest.com. We are all looking forward to announcing the result at the North West Tourist Board Chairman Awards on Monday 17th November 2003."

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For further information please contact:

Claire Palczykiewicz North West Tourist Board T: 01942 764 106 E: Claire.Palczykiewicz@nwtb.org.uk

Notes to editors: * North West Tourist Board research reveals: Lyme Park, Cheshire, reported visitors figures to be 17.5% up on last year. The Museum of Science & Industry and Manchester United Football Club (Museum and Tour) also reports visitor figures to be up on 2002 * Park Bridge Heritage Centre and Beacon Fell Country Park, Lancashire said they were busier than ever. * The Tate, World of Glass and the Beatles Museum, Merseyside also boast a very busy summer season. * The North West Tourist Board Chairman's Awards 2003 are a celebration of the best of the tourism Industry in the Region. * This event will also mark the retirement of Anthony Goldstone, Chairman. Anthony retires in November after 20 years as Chairman of the Board - making him the longest serving Chairman of any Tourist Board in the Country. * The North West Tourist Board (NWTB) is a partnership between VisitBritain, 39 Local Authorities and 1,200 tourism businesses in the Region. * Its role is to increase the benefits tourism brings to the Region, currently worth �6 billion, supporting almost 200,000 jobs and representing seven per cent of the Region's GDP. For more information on the North West Tourist Board log on to www.visitnorthwest.com