The Harris Museum has failed to make it into the official Tourist Board guide to the nation despite attracting 200,000 visistors last year.

Many of the county's top attractions have been listed in the volumes, but Preston has been left flagging on the tourist trail as prime attractions have been left out.

The guide, produced by Enjoy England, is split into four books: Churches, Abbeys and Cathedrals; Museums and Art Galleries; Historic Houses and Castles and Gardens.

However, visitorsto Lancashire could be

forgiven for by-passing Preston as the city barely gets a mention.

Churches, Abbeys and Cathedrals includes Lancaster Priory and Pilling St John the Baptist Old Church, but omits to mention St Walburges in Preston, renowned for having the tallest spire in Europe and a key building in Lancashire's Catholic heritage.

Gardens lists Worden Park in Leyland and Blackpool's Stanley Park but does not mention any of Preston's seven parks, despite the recent upgrade of Avenham and Miller parks.

The city does get a mention in Museums and Art Galleries where the National Football Museum is listed, but it fails to mention the Harris Museum and Art Gallery and the Museum of Lancashire Life.

Gail Cox, Preston's tourism manager, said: "It is very disappointing. There are two cities in Lancashire – Lancaster and Preston - and they both equally have a lot to offer."