A HOLIDAY park manager has been enticed back to Weymouth after 17 years away from the resort.

The combined Weymouth Bay and Seaview Holiday Parks have appointed 44-year-old Neil Ankers as their new general manager.

Mr Ankers left Littlesea Holiday Park after three years as complex manager and has gone on to manage various resorts around the country.

His last position was at Reighton Sands Holiday Park in North Yorkshire and he is moving to Preston with his wife and two children to be close to his new job.

He said: "I'm absolutely delighted to be back in Weymouth as it's such a lovely area. The town is looking better than ever and has so much going for it so my family are all very excited to be here.

"This is an exciting opportunity as when you combine the two parks it's one of Haven's bigger sites."

Mr Ankers is keen to expand the two holiday parks' links with the local community and has agreed to contribute funds towards the cost of new windows at Preston Village Hall.

He said: "I'm a firm believer that our holiday parks should be part of the local community.

"I've been looking at ways we could possibly open some of our facilities to people out of season as well as supporting local organisations and charities.

"I would like to contact a few of the local schools and see what we can do with them.

"I've also had a meeting with the Round Table to see how we can help them raise money for charity."

The two sites Mr Ankers has been put in charge of employ 220 people and are owned by Haven Holidays. They attract more than 5,000 holidaymakers and caravan owners each week during peak season and include 1,000 static caravans, 630 of which are privately owned.

The parks in Preston also have chalets and cottages and facilities for campers, touring caravans and motorhomes.