A HOLIDAY company based in Derby has reported an increase in bookings of almost a half as more Britons look to take a break in the UK due to the credit crunch.

Don Amott Parks, which owns five holiday parks in Lincolnshire, says it has seen a big increase in business so far this year.

The company reported record sales over Easter, up 45% on last year, and its parks were fully booked over this Bank Holiday weekend.

Company chairman Don Amott said the firm was also on course for a sell-out for the next Bank Holiday at the end of this month.

Mr Amott, who is also chairman of Derbyshire County Cricket Club, said: "We had the busiest Easter for 12 years, with more families looking at what the UK has to offer.

"Bookings on our touring caravan park were up 45% on last Easter and our bars and restaurants nearly ran out of stock."

The increase in business supports statistics published by the National Caravan Council, the trade body that represents the UK caravan industry, which predicts that more than two million additional caravan holidays could be taken in the UK this year.

Mr Amott believes the credit crunch, combined with the weakness of the pound against currencies such as the dollar and the euro, is persuading more people to look closer to home.

He said that not only were bookings up, but the company was continuing to sell permanent holiday homes.

He said: "With the exchange rate as it is, more families are looking at holiday homes in the UK and they are surprised to find that they could pay for their very own luxury holiday home in Lincolnshire for the price of two or three foreign holidays."

The five parks that Mr Amott runs in Lincolnshire are Lakeside Park at North Somercotes, Nettleton Park, near Caistor, Willows and Whispering Waters, both in Mablethorpe, and Windmill Park, at Burgh le Marsh, near Skegness.

Mr Amott said all of the parks were set for a bumper summer season.

The 60-year-old entrepreneur's father, Don Amott senior, founded Don Amott Leisure Kingdom in 1963.

Mr Amott joined the business straight from school in 1965 and took over its running 10 years later, when his father died.

The business quickly grew to become one of the UK's leading leisure companies.

In 2006, due to sporting commitments and other business responsibilities, Mr Amott sold his interest in the company to Tony Weavers, who is managing director, and Paul Coxon, the financial director. In October last year, Mr Amott suffered a heart attack, but has made a full recovery.

Since then he has been raising for Derby's hospitals and in March took part in a sponsored walk at Carsington Reservoir, raising cash for heart patients.

Leading figures from Derbyshire's tourism industry discuss how Derby can capitalise in the Big Talk – Pages 2 & 3.