THOUGHTS are turning from turkey and tinsel to summer sunshine as people plan their next holidays.

Travel agents across East Lancashire have reported an upsurge in bookings for both last-minute millennium trips and annual sunshine breaks during the year 2000.

Tony Lawrence, owner of Sunliving Travel in Blackburn Road, Darwen, said: "It's been incredible just how many people have been in to book a holiday."

Nigel Pratt, manager of Clitheroe Travel in Castle Street, said most of his customers were planning special millennium holidays throughout the new year.

He added: "Things are steady at the moment. A lot of people are making bookings for next summer and winter. They tend to be long haul and more exotic than usual."

Althams in Blackburn were busy dealing with their usual post Christmas trade.

Manager Deborah Gorton said: "It's a busy time for us just after Christmas as families start thinking about their next holiday and want make the most of discounts

"We are still taking a lot of bookings for winter breaks, such as skiing and winter sun destinations.

"No particular place is standing out at the moment for the summer."

Diana Moore, a travel consultant at Worldchoice Travelplan in Hammerton Street, Burnley, added: "All the offers and special discounts for next year have started now so people will be making the most of them."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.