MORE than 3,000 people descended on the Reebok Stadium for "a great day out".

Showcasing attractions across the North-west, the Great Days Out Fair - organised by the North-west Tourist Board - was the biggest display of regional attractions ever organised in the North of England.

Teachers, tour operators and community leaders attended the event to see what was on offer from destinations across the regions such as zoos, funfairs, museums, markets, football clubs, parks and gardens, historic visitors centres and monuments.

Bolton's own museum service and representatives of Bolton Wanderers Football Club talked to visitors about their attractions, and members of Bury's historic East Lancashire Railway handed out leaflets.

Visitors had a chance to see owls and hawks used in displays from Camelot theme park, Chorley, and to get to grips with a replica of football's European Cup, which is housed at the National Football Museum in Preston.

Although predominantly North-west based, exhibitors from as far afield as Scotland, Cumbria, North Wales and the Midland attended the event.