Preston's emergence into a clean and pedestrian-friendly town began with the building of the by-pass - Britain's first stretch of motorway - in the 1950s, and moved ahead with the disappearance of steam locomotives in the late 1960s. When the old docks were redeveloped as a marina and a modern retail and leisure park, the old motto of "Proud Preston" took on a new shine.
The refurbished Guild Hall and Charter Theatre attracts the biggest names in entertainment but the building that symbolises Preston is the Harris Museum and Art Gallery, a magnificent Grade 1 listed building in Greek Revival style, facing the market square.
Long famous in football as the location of the oldest Football League ground at Deepdale, now redeveloped as a modern stadium, Preston has led the way by opening the first football museum on Sir Tom Finney Way, named after the club's illustrious star of the 1940s to the 1960s.
