RESIDENTS and businesses are being encouraged to get behind a new campaign promoting Warrington as a visitor destination by using the hashtag #LoveWarrington between now and Valentine’s Day.

Marketing Cheshire, the official tourist board for Cheshire and Warrington, has joined forces with a number of community partners to launch the initiative after latest figures revealed visitor economy in Warrington is worth more than £447m.

It is hoped that the first phase of campaign activity, which will culminate with a day of events and competitions in the Golden Square shopping centre and Warrington Market on February 14, will raise the profile of Warrington nationally to attract new visitors and increase that figure further.

Ian Cox, Golden Square centre director, said: "Warrington is a terrific town. It has great shopping, restaurants, and a vibrant and active cultural scene and community.

"We are pleased to be at the fore of championing everything which is great about the town."

To help promote Warrington as a business and leisure destination, organisers of the ‘Love Warrington’ campaign are calling on social media fans to use #LoveWarrington in their tweets on February 14 to get it trending nationally and are hoping some of the town's celebrities and ex-patriots living in countries around the world will also join in with the fun.

Cllr Mike Hannon, deputy leader of Warrington Borough Council, said: "This is a superb initiative and one that I am very proud to support.

"I have, and always will, love Warrington and it is great to see from the number of twitter followers already out there that so many others do too."

Other partners involved in the initiative include Warrington Wolves, Warrington Town Football Club, Warrington & Co and businesses and venues such as The Jungle, Gulliver’s World, The Park Royal, The Village and Penta Hotels.

For further information about getting involved, e-mail Ashley Shacklady via a.shacklady@marketingcheshire.co.uk