East Cheshire’s tourist economy had a welcome boost last year, with hotel room bookings rising by 2.1 per cent in 2015.

This means that the borough did better than Liverpool, Cheshire West, Warrington and even York.

Since 2012, east Cheshire has enjoyed success year after year with hotel occupancy rates increasing 12 per cent compared to 7.8 per cent nationally.

Cllr Les Gilbert, cabinet member in charge of communities, said: “This is fantastic news and sends out the message that there is always a warm welcome here in Cheshire East.

“I congratulate our hoteliers and guest house owners, who continue to raise the bar in standards so that our visitors know they will get quality accommodation with a smile and that here in Cheshire East there is plenty to do and see throughout the year.”

Hotel and guest house occupancy increased for the fourth year running, rising from 59.9 per cent in 2012 to 75.6 per cent in 2015 and the number of overnight stays rose to nearly 447,000, compared to 426,000 in 2014.

The Borough’s hospitality economy has seen a continual increase since 2009, when it was worth £152m compared with £218m in 2014, while the overall visitor economy is worth £800m to the Borough.

A wide range of events and attractions are credited for the borough’s hospitality and tourism performance, from canal boating to wedding fairs and venues, artisan markets, cultural festivals and brewery trails.

Other factors which have added to the rising numbers of visitors are the RHS Flower Show, the agricultural and trade shows and the borough’s proximity to Liverpool, Manchester and Manchester Airport.

Last year’s Tour de France cycling event through Yorkshire also helped to boost visitor numbers.