Where is Shropshire? - being a best kept secret is not great

LEADER - For years, Shropshire has been billed as being one of Britain's best kept secrets. A survey out today reveals just how much of a secret it really is.

Astonishingly, one in four Brits does not know where Shropshire is on a map. That may be good news for those in the know, who enjoy the peace and tranquillity of our beautiful county, but for business, it is nothing short of disaster.

Shropshire ought to be one of the nation's great hubs for commerce. It is well connected to the motorway network, sitting midway between centres of great commercial influence like Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester, and it is within easy reach of London.

We have well-trumpeted tourist attractions like the Ironbridge, Much Wenlock and Ludlow and huge sums are spent each year spreading the news to potential visitors. We also have remarkably good conferencing facilities: where better for businesses to strike deals than a wonderfully attractive county that's away from the grit and grime of inner cities and is blessed with exceptional, 21st century, state-of-the-art facilities.

Sadly, the message seems not to have got through and that so few know about Shropshire is depressing on many fronts. It says much about the paucity of our education system that the nation's geography teachers have not taught generations of Brits about the beauties on their own doorstep.

And it is galling that while millions have been invested in impeccable business and conference facilities, the county is clearly not maximising its potential.

Each year, the Shropshire Business Awards celebrates the best of local successes and the event has grown beyond all recognition. Shropshire has much to be proud of. With so few knowing about its diverse business and leisure attractions, it's time for the county to redouble its efforts and shout from the rooftops.