Tourist numbers 'up by 28%'

Fleetwood Bay is one of the tourist attractions in Wyre

Tourism in the Wyre area of Lancashire is growing despite a downward trend in neighbouring boroughs, according to new figures.

The North West Tourist Board has revealed that between 2000 and 2002, the area saw a 28% rise in tourist numbers, increasing the value of tourism by £51m.

The figures also show that the number of overnight stays in the area, which includes the seaside town of Fleetwood, went up from 887,000 to more than one million.

Wyre Borough Council has welcomed the figures, saying it is "great news for the borough, which has had a long tradition as a holiday destination".

'Especially encouraging'

Tom Pridmore, head of cultural services, said the news reflects recent efforts to promote the area, and will have a knock-on effects for a range of businesses, not necessarily directly connected to tourism.

Councillor Jim Lawrenson, chair of Wyre Tourism Association, said the figures were "especially encouraging" in light of the foot-and-mouth outbreak in 2001, which had a major impact on tourism.

He said that while all of the area's authorities' tourism figures declined immediately after the crisis, Wyre had managed to buck the trend of decline unlike its neighbours.