Blackburn Council: "The new single-tier authority will run all local services including areas such as education and social services which are presently administered by Lancashire County Council."

Burnley Council: "Incorporating an area of some 50 square miles, Burnley will delight visitors by its wealth of contrasts; from some of the best preserved industrial landscapes in Britain, to magnificent countryside with rugged moorlands and deep gorges."

Crewe and Nantwhich Borough Council: "This Guide is part of our commitment to improve our contact with you the customer and to make our services as easy to use as possible."

Cumbria County Council: This site provides information about a range of services and activities in Cumbria and about the local councillors who control the development of these services.

Lancashire County Council: "Find out about all the services we provide for you."

St. Helens: "Metropolitan St. Helens is not only a Borough proud of its heritage from an historic past but one that is moving with confidence into the millennium."

Stockport: "More than 284,000 live within the borough - and many more look to Stockport for work or entertainment."

Tameside: "This Business Unit manages the town halls in Ashton and Dukinfield and other important community facilities such as the George Lawton Hall in Mossley, the Festival Hall in Denton and Stalybridge Community Centre."

Wigin: "Lying midway between Liverpool and Manchester, the country's twelfth largest metropolitan district belies its industrial image; indeed, few areas have changed so dramatically in recent years."