IMPROVEMENTS to Clitheroe Castle have helped visitor numbers to the town more than treble in three years.

The rise in people visiting the town has been put down to the revamped castle, which welcomed almost 54,000 people through its doors last year.

With more family activities and special events organised for the new tourism season, visitors numbers are predicted to shoot up again this year.

Rachel Jackson, manager of the museum at Clitheroe Castle, said the attraction had also seen an increase in the number of people visiting from outside the borough, with five per cent of all visitors coming from overseas.

She said: “The museum is completely different since the revamp.

“It is very family-friendly and we are seeing people coming back again and again.”

According to a visitor survey, the biggest group of visitors last year was families with children, with 70 per cent of all guests coming to the castle with children.

Rachel said the Pendle Witches exhibition, in the Steward’s Gallery, was also proving to be very popular.

Clitheroe Castle, which is run by Ribble Valley Council, reopened in June 2009 after a £3.2million overhaul to create a cafe, an exhibition space, shops and innovative interactive display facilities.

Sue Knox, mayor of Clitheroe, said it had been great for the town, adding: “Tourism is fantastic for the shops and the vitality of Clitheroe.

“It brings something special when you have visitors and gives you something to show them.”

Robert Thompson, chairman of Ribble Valley Council’s community services committee, said: “We are delighted that this prime heritage site is being enjoyed by so many people.”