THE countryside may be closed but Blackpool is well and truly open for business this Easter -- that's the message from Blackpool Borough Council's tourism department.

All of the resort's attractions will be throwing open their doors to welcome visitors for the coming weekend and the rest of the year and these include: Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool Tower, Sealife Centre, Blackpool Model Village and Gardens, Blackpool Zoo, Louis Tussaud's Waxworks, Blackpool Sandcastle, North, Central and South Piers, Coral Island, Stanley Park and much more, including go-karting, ten pin bowling, cinemas and family amusement centres etc.

Music and laughter is the theme for theatre lovers over the Easter weekend with the 70s feel-good musical What A Feeling at the Grand Theatre from April 10-15 which stars 80s pop star Limahl and lead vocalist from Rose Royce, Gwen Dickie.

The Opera House at Blackpool Winter Gardens is tickling funny bones with The Comedians on April 14 featuring Bernard Manning, George Roper, Stan Boardman, Roy Walker, Jim Bowen, Ken Goodwin and Charlie Williams all together on stage for one night only.

Bernard Manning also appears for one night only at Lytham's Lowther Pavilion on Easter Sunday.

And the day after (April 15) the Opera House will rock to the sound of The Solid 60s Show.

Last but not least (strictly for adults only) is the irrespressible Chubby Brown at the North Pier on Saturday and Sunday.

Sports car enthusiasts should not miss out on the TVR Back Home Weekend when more than 150 pristine examples of the Blackpool-built sports car drive into town for their annual pilgrimage to the resort.

The public will get a chance to view the magnificent vehicles at close quarters on the Princess Parade by North Pier on Saturday between 10am and 2pm followed by another opportunity to see them during the Grand TVR Promenade Cavalcade on Sunday starting at 12.30pm approx. from Starr Gate, heading north past Blackpool Tower and finishing at Gynn Square.

On the sports front, young budding Beckhams will be kicking off with 115 other teams from the UK and Europe over Easter in the Blackpool Cup International Soccer Tournament at Common Edge Road Sports Ground.

While at Stanley Park the Blackpool Easter Hockey Festival is taking place.

Pint-sized ball gowns and tuxedos are the order of the day at the Blackpool Junior Dance Festival in the Tower Ballroom, where diddy dancers as young as six will trip the light fantastic on Easter Monday through to April 21.

Visitors requiring further information should contact Blackpool Visitor Centre on 01253 478222 or www.blackpooltourism.com