The city is on the brink of an exciting new era.

The city centre is to undergo the greatest transformation in its long and proud history with £700m being spent on new buildings and infrastructure.

The Tithebarn development holds the key to a prosperous future for Preston and should kick-start the revitalisation of the whole city long before it is completed.

The redevelopment will be finished by 2014 but before then Preston will celebrate its first guild since becoming a city six years ago.

Preparations are already under way for 2012 with city leaders planning a host of events to put Preston on the map.

With so much going on the Lancashire Evening Post has launched a drive to promote all that is great about our city.

Preston & Proud aims to highlight all the positive things going on and the people who make it a great place to live and work.

For the next five weeks we will be celebrating different aspects of city life in a series of supplements every Tuesday.

We kick off on Tuesday with a pictorial look at the people and places of our proud city.

Over the coming weeks we will focus on our schools, businesses, arts, culture and unsung sporting heroes.

Meanwhile, we will be supporting those people who make a positive impact on Preston and naming and shaming those who do not.

Special series will focus on different groups of people in our city and the landmarks you love.

We will also be giving you the chance to get involved and show you are Preston & Proud. For more details visit here.

If you have any events going on or can think of anyone who we should be proud of, then telephone reporters Rachel Dearden or Jenny Simpson on 01772 254841.

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