VALUE for money and a complete change in attitude from their hosts have drawn the Liberal Democrats back to Blackpool.

The party will stage what is likely to be the first major political conference after the next general election at the Winter Gardens next September .

It is the first time the Lib Dems have met in the resort in 15 years.

And the party's conference manager, Stuart Marritt, said a pledge to prevent big price mark-ups at hotels is one important factor in their decision.

Mr Marritt said: "Our membership wants value for money and my job as conference manager is to make sure they get it. We are not prepared to tolerate people ripping us off."

The main hotel for the conference will be either the Hilton or the Imperial, but Mr Marritt says he was also impressed by new facilities, including the Big Blue Hotel.

He added: "One of the most significant things that has impressed us, as well as the support we are getting for our members, was the attitude of the council and the attitude of the hotel management.

"With the Masterplan the council have got for Blackpool, there has been a complete transformation in their approach to us."

An estimated 4,000 delegates, exhibitors and media personnel are expected to visit the conference.

The Conservative Party is also expected to confirm Blackpool as the venue for their event, from October 3 to 6. They have been regular visitors to the resort since 1932 and 7,000 people are expected to attend.

Cllr Eddie Collett, Blackpool Council's tourism portfolio holder, said: "The council's conference team work hard to sell Blackpool to major conference organisers and to have two political parties coming to the resort next year is a great feather in their cap.

"I would urge everyone in the tourism industry to pull out all the stops for these and other major conferences.

"Each and every year Blackpool has to compete with more and more conference venues and we must rally as a town to offer delegates that unique Blackpool experience alongside the quality that modern conferences expect."

A number of other conferences are also scheduled to take place in Blackpool next year, with the council expecting them to make a £50m contribution to the local economy.

The news is a major boost to the resort after it was snubbed by all three major parties this year.

However, there is still no sign of the Labour Party returning to the resort for the first time since 2002.