BLACKPOOL could be paying the price for last year's Millennium celebrations, according to some hoteliers in the resort.

Bookings are reported to be down for the Christmas and New Year on previous years, and head of tourism Jane Seddon it is putting it down to last year's hype.

She said: "It is a bit of a mixed bag this year. Some people say because Christmas Day falls after the weekend on a Monday people are staying at home.

"Because of last year's hype with the Millennium celebrations people seem to be having a quieter Christmas. This year the compulsion just is not there," she added.

Imperial Hotel manager Mark Edwards said the New Year trade at his hotel was brisk but there were still vacancies for the Christmas period and for Christmas Day dinner. "New year is encouraging and we are going to be busy but we still have rooms available for Christmas as well as meal places on Christmas Day.

"This year is certainly quieter than last year but that is only to be expected after last year's Millennium celebrations." And it is not just the big hotels who are suffering. Josie Hammond, secretary of the Hotel and Guest House Association, said trade in the resort was very quiet right across the board. "We are not having very many enquiries at all. It is not just the big hotels but the smaller ones are struggling to fill rooms as well.

"Last year everyone seemed to go berserk for the Millennium celebrations and it seems they are having a rest this year."

There have been reports of large parties cancelling because of flooding around the country and because trains are not running normally. "People are loathe to travel just in case they get stuck half way on their journey and others have been flooded so they are staying at home. All in all these factors have taken their toll on our bookings," she added.