Runcorn Honoured in Video Game Legacy
Mon, 02 Mar 2009
"Runcorn" will be available to play with later this year
Locals to the Cheshire town of Runcorn today received news of an accolade of a very high order as they were chosen as the namesake of a new character in the Pokemon video game series, produced by Nintendo.
Nintendo will be releasing Pokemon: The Silver Jubilee Edition in Autumn this year which will be 26th in the series of video games in which players battle with small, fictional creatures called Pokemon, which is short for "Pokey Monsters".
It was said that the Japanese games giant had shortlisted several UK settlements to be the inspiration for the new character introduced in the latest game in the franchise.
Amongst the towns that didn't make the final choice were Gateshead, Slough and Chipping Sodbury. It is understood that the town of Skegness was also approached, but declined to be shortlisted on moral grounds.
"Naturally, we're delighted," gleeful Runcorn councillor Peter Chu tells WAFTI in his first interview since parole. "This is going to be a tremendous boon for all the people of Runcorn."
Early estimates forecast an approximate growth in tourism of 1.41% when the new video game appears in the shops on 31st October. Walking down the High Street, it can be seen that local businesses are already celebrating the honour.
"This is the best thing to happen to the town since the building of the Bridgewater canal," gushes Agnes Cream, a local travel agent who is already negotiating discounted B&B rates in the area for any Japanese visitors.
A special parade will be held through the town this Sunday, but those taking part are struggling with the fact the nearest Pokemon costume shop is in Manchester.
"The parade will most definitely go ahead," confirms Gareth Silo, head of the town council, adorning full Pikachu dress.
A spokesperson from Nintendo adds they chose Runcorn after a painfully rigorous decision process and they look forward to having the town's namesake spearhead the latest game as its star character.
He tells us that "Runcorn is the perfect pokey town for our pokemon."