Eccles is .......

1. For people of a certain age, a character in the Goon Show (that's me)

2. For people who like currants and flaky pastry, a type of "cake" (that's also me)

3. A market town long ago absorbed into the bigger urban area, but still with its own local pride

4. A place conveniently located next to the Ship Canal and the motorway network, including of course the Eccles Interchange of the M602/M62/M60 - around the busiest stretch of motorway in the country

5. A not wealthy place, with a struggling centre but lots of local pride and community spirit - evidenced by the yellow ribbons and flowers in memory of Alan Henning

6. And ..... as we found yesterday, conveniently situated mid-way between London and Scotland, the two places Chinese tourists want to see in the UK. This building. Sentinel House, now has planning permission for part conversion into a hotel, serving the Chinese market