New campaign that brings the countryside to Manchester

Escape to the country!

That's the message today as a new campaign to encourage residents across Greater Manchester to venture outdoors was launched.

"Margo and Jerry" - two locally reared lambs - toured round Oxford Road in Manchester this week checking out the new advertising campaign promoting the 500 square miles of breathtaking countryside and the many and varied rural activities across Greater Manchester.

The campaign named - Manchester's Playground' has a message to the region - 'there's another side to Manchester!'

The campaign forms part of the Manchester's Countryside initiative, a project that looks to unlock the tourism potential of the region, attracting national as well as local visitors and contributing to a healthy Greater Manchester rural economy.

Paul Simpson, managing director of Visit Manchester, explained: "Manchester's countryside is one of the North West's best kept secrets. The campaign aims at changing all this and providing an alternative visitor destination to the likes of the Lake and Peak Districts. We want local residents and outside visitors to step outside the cosmopolitan squares and urban style of Manchester city centre and discover the rich and diverse surrounding countryside."

Alongside the well established countryside favourites of the North West such as Keswick, Kendal and Kirkstone, Manchester's Countryside will be promoting evocatively named towns and villages like Diggle, Delph and Dobcross.

From this week, attention will switch from national audiences to local residents. The Manchester's Playground campaign features Greater Manchester rural attractions alongside clever and creative urban strap lines. Roadside posters, bus shelter and train station hoardings, regional newspaper and on-board tram advertising will introduce days out, places to visit and things to do - all within Manchester's Countryside.

The website (www.manchesterscountryside.com) details ideas for all the family during the school summer holidays. From llama trekking in Oldham, swinging through the trees at 'Go Ape' in Bolton, riding the rapids at Burrs Country Park Bury, or maybe just taking it easy with a leisurely stroll, picnic or bike ride along a canal tow path, bridleway or countryside trail. There are new walking trails and cycle routes. In all, there is something for all ages and interests to enjoy.

Manchester's Countryside was officially re-launched in May 2011. The project has been re-introduced following a successful for Rural Development Programme for England Funding (RDPE).

The £226,000 financial injection will be added to private sector and local authority support to enable the development of Greater Manchester rural short breaks, countryside activities, events, major marketing activity and industry support.

ENDS