IT MAY not seem the most likely tourist destination. But Farnworth -- despite its takeaways, discount shops and busy main road -- is experiencing a tourist boom.

According to the author of a new book, the town should now start marketing itself as Phoenix Nights country --following the success of Peter Kay's Channel 4 series, which is filmed there.

Martin Kelner, who has written an account of his travels through the dark side of showbusiness called When Will I Be Famous, believes the town and club is placing itself on the TV tourism map.

Mr Kelner said: "There is evidence that the clubland comedy may be responsible for a mini-tourist boom.

"It is probably only a matter of time before the area is marketed as Phoenix Nights country."

Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights is filmed at St Gregory's Social Club in Farnworth.

Kay fans arrive every week to see the location for themselves.

Mr Kelner describes the club as friendly, saying he was "welcomed with open arms, despite my non-member status".

But he is less than gushing about Farnworth itself.

He says: "Farnworth is a smudge on the map. Its main street is little more than a strip of discount shops, takeaways and off-licences outside which teenagers mooch in the evenings."

But he adds: "At the other end of the town stands the legacy of better days: a pretty park, an impressive Edwardian town hall and the well-equipped Carnegie Library."

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: "We are delighted that Farnworth is being recognised as a place worth visiting and we welcome tourists with open arms."

Martin Kelner's book, When Will I Be Famous, is published by the BBC and costs £7.99.