The Constituency of Wyre and Preston North stretches from Cabus in the north to Fulwood in Preston in the south and from Thornton in the west to Grimsargh in the east. The Seat is a mixed urban and rural area, with the population being based around four urban centres: the Market towns of Poulton-Le-Fylde and Garstang (first Fairtrade Town) as well as Thornton and the North of Preston. There are a number of small towns and villages throughout Wyre and Rural Preston. In all, the population is approx 88,680 with an electorate which is approx 70,609 strong.
The people of the Constituency, if not working locally, often commute to Preston, Blackpool and Manchester. Employment in the area is in Farming, Industry (e.g. BAE), Education (e.g. Preston and Lancaster University), the NHS and tourism. A strong tradition of small to medium enterprises also helps to contribute to a thriving and diverse community.
The Constituency is rich in history from the old Fulwood workhouse which was completed in 1868, to Poulton-le-Fylde which has a Town Square that is home to original stocks and a whipping post. To find out more about what is on offer in Wyre & Preston North please visit: www.wyrebc.gov.uk and www.preston.gov.uk.
The market town of Garstang, situated mid way between Preston and Lancaster also has an important more modern history. At a Public Town Meeting on Thursday 27th April 2000 the people of Garstang voted for Garstang to become the world's first Fairtrade Town, thus pioneering the Fairtrade Towns initiative used to promote the FAIRTRADE Mark. There are now over 300 Fairtrade Towns in the UK and the idea has spread internationally to Ireland, Belgium, Canada, Scandinavia and the USA.
