BOOKINGS at a west Dorset holiday park have almost doubled as holidaymakers flock to the area.

Bookings made last week for last-minute breaks during the school summer holidays at West Bay Holiday Park were up by 93 per cent, compared with the same week last year.

Last minute bookings for the company's two other sites in Dorset are also up.

Bookings at the Sandford site are up 37 per cent and up 32 per cent at Warmwell.

The increase in bookings is also positive news for the local economy in Dorset, which is heavily reliant on tourism, according to Parkdean Resorts, which owns the West Bay site.

According to the company's own own data, the amount people are spending while on holiday has increased by 9 per cent year on year – a figure which it hopes will translate over into the hospitality and leisure businesses nearby.

Xavier Vallee, Chief Customer Officer at Parkdean Resorts, said: “We’ve seen a massive increase in last-minute bookings and the rising number of people looking to holiday in the UK this year provides a welcome boost to local economies in parts of the UK which are heavily reliant on tourism.

“With so much disruption to European holidays this summer, people know they can have a hassle-free experience with us – you can load up the car and get to a park in a few hours with no baggage restrictions and no waiting around in airports.

"Our seaside holiday parks offer great value for money and are the perfect way to experience the natural beauty that our coastal areas have to offer.

“The UK is still very much in love with its seaside towns, and the fact that people are actually spending more while on holiday is very positive for local businesses.”