TOURISTS are set to flood into Southend this summer, new research has found.

Nearly ten per cent of people across the country voted Southend as one of their top ten tourist destinations within the UK.

The survey by the hotel bookings website laterooms.com found because of the credit crunch a record number of Brits are shunning trips abroad in favour of UK beach holidays.

It found 57 per cent of holidaymakers plan to take an old-fashioned holiday on the British coastline this summer.

Roger Fisher, chairman of the Southend Seafront Illuminations and Business Association, said: “I was just reading in the national news that hotel bookings in the UK for this year and next are on the increase.

“But, of course, one of the biggest problems we have is people want nice weather and that it is why they have gone abroad.

“It is good news looking forward that a lot of people are coming into the town, spending money and enjoying themselves.”

One main attraction for the summer holidays is the newly installed roller skating rink at the pier.

A hotel owner, who asked not to be named, said business was looking good.

He said: “I bought this hotel last July and refurbished it. We’ve been open since March and we’re full most weeks and weekends.

“I think because of the poor Euro rate people are staying in Britain and it may also be because people want to be closer to home.

“Another factor may be that people don’t get that much time off of work and prefer to take short breaks or long weekends closer to home.

“We get a lot of visitors staying here because it’s close to London for sightseeing and there’s also quite a lot to do around Southend as well.”

Councillor Derek Jarvis, responsible for culture, sports and leisure, said: “I am absolutely delighted about the results of the survey.

“We are trying to raise the image of Southend.

“This is one more signal our efforts are beginning to pay off. It is great news.”