A £1m refurbishment of the town's main conference venue - the Winter Gardens - has also encouraged the return of the Labour Party.

The town disappeared from the conference map four years ago because delegates complained about the quality of facilities.

Now the town is gearing up for Labour's return at the end of September - the first time since 1998.

Disabled access

Michael Williams, general manager of the Winter Gardens, said the TUC conference, which opened on Sunday, was a good "dry run" for the Labour conference.

He told BBC North West Today: "The £1m has been spent on the main rooms in the building, which have been refurbished and re-decorated.

"This includes the Empress Ballroom for the first time in 50 years and the Floral Hall, which hasn't been decorated for 35 years.

"Delegates are certainly seeing new carpets and decoration throughout the building."

Two new lifts have been installed in the building, along with ramps in doorways, to enable easier access to the building for disabled people.