The first two squares on a Preston edition of Monopoly have been announced.

The Preston North End Community and Education Trust will join the Preston Street Pastors to take up prestigious ‘Community Chest’ spots on the city’s own edition of the classic board game.

A total of eight charities will be awarded places on the Monopoly map, with the other six yet to be announced. It will also feature iconic landmarks from around the city.

Earlier this year Winning Moves UK announced that the city has been chosen for its own unique Monopoly board for this year, after seeing off a host of other places across the north-west in a city-wide ‘beauty contest’.

Mr Monopoly came to the city to announce the news – along with Mr Shrimpton – and since then the makers have been busily putting the edition together.

Mr Shrimpton added: “The official Monopoly: Preston Edition game is due to hit shops around the last week of this October. As well as a charity vote there was also a general vote staged. Both were extremely well supported.

“Preston North End Community and Education Trust polled extremely well – as did The Harris Museum, Avenham Park and Deepdale. Around 35 Preston landmarks and organisations will feature in the game. Eight of these will be charities. Two of the charities have now been named. The other six will be revealed the day the game is out.

Preston North End Community and Education Trust is the official charity of Preston North End Football Club. 

During the coronavirus pandemic, the Trust and club have worked in partnership to provide vital deliveries of hampers to elderly and vulnerable members of the local community, whilst part of the football stadium was gifted to the NHS for vital staff training purposes.

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George Shrimpton, Custom Games Executive at Winning Moves UK, said: “Very many congratulations to both the Trust and Deepdale.

“The eight Preston charity Monopoly opportunities were our way of thanking the public for getting behind the game so enthusiastically.

“Deepdale will feature in an ‘icon’ set in the green section of the board. The sets are all themed. From heritage to shopping, travel to nature – and many more.

“We have been spoilt for choice putting this board together and are delighted that the great and good of Preston will get to ‘Pass GO’.

“We would like to formally thank each and every person who sent in nominations.”

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Head of Preston North End Community and Education Trust Tom Drake said: “Our services connect people from all walks of life, supporting all to achieve their goals and make positive changes to create a safer, stronger and more resilient community.

“We are absolutely delighted to be featuring in the board. A very big thank you to everyone who voted for us.”

The game will be available at all major retailers across the city – as well as very widely online, including Amazon.

What landmarks and charities do you think deserve a place on the Preston Monopoly board? Let us know in the comments section.