Tourists brave enough to venture past the Watford Gap will be rather relieved to learn that it is no longer "grim up North".

That's according to a new Lonely Planet guide, which says dynamic development has made the North-South divide a thing of the past.

Newcastle has displayed "miraculous powers of urban regeneration", Manchester is "one of Britain's most exciting and interesting cities", and Leeds is the "Knightsbridge of the North", the Great Britain travel guide says.

It also describes the city of York as a place of "extraordinary culture and historical wealth".

While praising much of Britain, the guide offers its share of brickbats - one of which is aimed at the North Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate, which it says has not changed much since Agatha Christie fled there in 1926.

Last night, Councillor Mike Gardner, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, contradicted the comments.

He said: "We are about to spend £8m on restoring our wonderful Royal Hall - one of the top most precious historical buildings in the country - and on Wednesday this week we will be opening a £5m extension to our conference centre.

"We have been renowned for welcoming and attracting visitors for over 100 years and that is something that hasn't changed."

Co-ordinating author David Else said: "When it comes to great destinations, the North-South divide is a myth."

The guide concludes: "The beauty of the country, the diversity of the attractions and the hospitality of the people together ensure Britain's place as one of the world's most popular destinations."

The guide also says British food is "changing for the better", largely thanks to outside influences.

But it adds that "Britain's culinary heritage of ready-sliced white bread, fatty meats and veg boiled to death, all washed down by tea with four sugars, remains firmly in place in many parts of the country."