A BLACKPOOL guest house is bouncing back after being boycotted by tourists who believed it had been featured in TV's 'Hotels from Hell.'

The owners of the Dorchester Private Hotel, Reads Avenue suffered cancellations and abusive phone calls after the TV programme featured another, similarly-named, hotel.

For this season, April and Kent O'Neill have changed the name to The Avenue, with help from Blackpool's Tourism Support Bureau.

Mrs O'Neill said: "My hotel had always been popular and I was knocked for six by the impact that the programme had on the business.

"My husband was recovering from serious illness at the time and with customers staying away in their droves we had real problems on our hands."

But the name change came about after the owners were contacted by Tourism Support Bureau adviser, Karen Kerrigan, who offered her help after learning of the hotel's plight.

"When Karen called I was delighted that someone was able to help and we have worked closely with her and her colleagues over the past few months to re-brand the hotel and develop a new marketing strategy to try and put the hotel back on track," added Mrs O'Neill.

Under the 'Invest in the Best' project, funded by Blackpool's Single Regeneration Budget, the hotel received 25 per cent of the costs of new canopies and signage.

The Tourism Support Bureau also helped the hotel work with local marketing consultants to improve its website and internet presence.

Mrs O'Neill added: "We have had our best start to a season for five years. Our website is now in prime position with most major directories and search engines and we have doubled the number of enquiries and bookings to the hotel.

"There must be many small hotels in Blackpool that need help and I'd tell them to pick up the phone and see what the Tourism Support Bureau can do for you. While we haven't completely recovered yet, we are back on track and attracting people to stay in the hotel - which is what it is all about."