A RECORD-BREAKING Best of Lakeland Hospitality and Attractions Show provided the perfect curtain-raiser to a keenly anticipated tourism season.

Around 1,300 visitors flocked to the Hydro Hotel in Bowness this week to visit the two-day show co-hosted by South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) and the Lakes Hospitality Association (LHA).

The event began on Tuesday (March 6) and everyone there was buzzing with expectation for a bumper year after the recent success of the Miss Potter film that starred actress Renee Zellweger and, more particularly, the Lakeland landscape.

More than 50 exhibitors gathered in a marquee at the hotel to show tour companies, local residents, tourists and each other what fantastic days out are on offer this year.

For full story see the March 9 edition of The Westmorland Gazette.