It's a common truism that people hardly ever visit attractions, beauty spots and facilities on their own doorsteps.

We are quite prepared to travel miles to go to a park, a stately home or a museum, but ask people around Bradford if they often go to see some of the fantastic sights around the district, and the answer more often than not will probably be along the lines of: "Well, I've been meaning to go, but..."

That's going to change next week, when the people behind Bradford's bid to be named European Capital of Culture in 2008 launch a campaign to get us to know our own area better.

Places like Riddlesden Hall, featured in today's T&A, are being promoted as part of "Be A Local Tourist Week", with attractions across the district offering discounted admission to encourage people to really get to know their own area.

There's a wealth of beautiful spots, interesting buildings and historical sites scattered all over the Bradford and district area, and they really do deserve patronage from local people.

If our bid to become Capital of Culture is to be successful, it needs the backing of everyone in the area, and one way of throwing your weight behind the campaign is to support Bradford at a grass-roots level - by simply enjoying what it has to offer.

Be A Local Tourist Week leaflets listing the places that will be offering knock-down admission rates to local people are available from Tourist Information Centres across the district, council information centres, and even doctors' surgeries.

So there's no excuse for any of us not doing our bit to support the bid - and enjoying ourselves along the way.