TOURISM in Darwen is booming, according to one caravan site owner who is looking to expand his business.

The combination of credit-crunch holidays and fine summer weather has proved a real boost to business at Brocklehurst Farm, where a site for touring caravans has proved a hit with people visiting the area, or getting away for a few days.

So succesful has the idea been, that owner Richard Wiggans has applied for permission to open the site year-round as many regulars are even hiring caravans at Christmas time.

Business at the site has more than trebled compared to bookings last year, and soared on key dates.

During last year’s Easter weekend, Mr Wiggans leased spaces for three caravans, but this year saw this figure rise to twenty.

He said: “Local people who moved away see it as a good place to stay when they come back and it’s popular with people visiting families, or people who want a few days’ break.

“We have other competitiors nearby who open year-round and we have requests for Christmas and New Year, so we are looking to expand.

“Business has been so much better this year down to a combination of people cutting back and the nice weather. It makes a huge difference.

“Projects like this do seem to be the future of farming as there are many fewer dairy farms, for example in Eccleshill, than there were.

“When you can make a success of other businesses at the farm though, it makes a huge difference. It’s also been a boost to local shops and pubs.”

Mr Wiggans has applied for permission to open 30 spaces all year round, removing previous conditions which limit the site to operating between March and October.