ELY S magnificent Stained Glass Museum has been heralded as a worthy underdog of British tourism in an off the wall tourist guide. The museum, housed in Ely Cathedral, has been included as one of the nation s finest off-beat attractions in the eccentrical

ELY'S magnificent Stained Glass Museum has been heralded as a worthy underdog of British tourism in an off the wall tourist guide.

The museum, housed in Ely Cathedral, has been included as one of the nation's finest off-beat attractions in the eccentrically named book Far from the Sodding Crowd.

It shares pride of place with such unusual tourist destinations as Barometer World and the Cumberland Pencil Museum.

The book, written by contributors to the adult comic Viz, is a follow-up to their first successful travel guide B******* to Alton Towers.

Despite its rather unusual title, staff at the Stained Glass Museum are delighted by the book's concept and believe it will broaden the museum's appeal.

They are even considering stocking the travel guide which has just been published.

Deputy curator Rosie Mills said: "It's quite exciting. It is an indicator of this growing desire for eccentric and off-beat attractions which quite appeals to us.

"I think there is a real need for this, to look at alternative leisure activities, and it is nice to be seen as different and interesting. The book could certainly be singled out for its title and, although we were surprised by the name, you have to meet them half way."

The book's predecessor sold more than 100,000 copies and one of the authors Robin Halstead said: "It was a massive surprise that so many people could be interested in these kind of attractions. It's not that we have ­anything against the big theme parks or stately homes, but sometimes they don't seem to have anything particularly unique about them.