LEIGHTON Hall, near Carnforth, is set to break records for group visits this year with almost triple the number of group bookings for 2000.

The increasing profile of the beautiful historic house has helped boost the tourist trade in North Lancashire.

Leighton Hall, which opens for its year 2000 season on Sunday May 1, has been keeping record of "bookings to date" since 1997. Those advance bookings have rocketed over the winter months from less than thirty to almost 100.

Suzie Gillow Reynolds said: "We have gained a few multiple bookings from hotels and tour operators, but even without those we would be well ahead of previous years. We have been scurrying around making everything ready for our first day of the season and it certainly makes us all feel chirpy when bookings look so healthy!" The main increase in bookings has been from adult groups - Women's Institutes, historic interest and retirement groups are amongst the main types of party which have made reservations. School groups have also shown a slight increase.

Should the booking frenzy continue, Leighton Hall could finish the season with more bookings than have been enjoyed for the last decade - the record is nearly 200. Leighton Hall has been welcoming visitors for almost 40 years. This may be the last year it is open to the public if the owners lose their fight to find a long term, financial solution to the Hall's high maintenance costs.

Richard Gillow Reynolds said: "It is possible that people feel if they want to visit, it's now or never. However, although our plight has been widely covered, very few people have actually mentioned it. We have changed some aspects of our marketing this year so perhaps that too is having an effect."

It is not just Leighton Hall that is enjoying an increase in visitors, Morecambe enjoyed a very successful Easter weekend with visitor numbers up 37 per cent on last year. The Eric Morecambe statue is still proving to be a very popular attraction with tourists enjoying posing with him. Easter saw the opening of a new jet ski shop in the West End of Morecambe, and the owner demonstrated some jet skis at The Battery. The Maritime Festival was also a popular attraction.