RESORTS and leisure attractions throughout the North-west are anticipating a record-breaking Easter after a week of amazingly warm weather.

Hoteliers in Blackpool and Southport reported a late rush of bookings. And Manchester Airport is expecting a bumper Easter period after handling more than 50,000 passengers a day in the first weekend of the school holidays.

It says the top destinations this Easter are Tenerife, Malaga and Alicante.

As Bolton sizzled in the Seventies -- the highest temperature of the year so far -- sunseekers and children on their Easter holidays basked in local parks and beauty spots. At its peak, the temperature reached 22C (73F).

The weather has led to warnings to holidaymakers to stay out of reservoirs -- because of the dangers of drowning in water that is still cold.

Jeremy Bird, United Utilities health and safety adviser, said: "Reservoirs do seem inviting to swimmers, particularly on hot days after sunbathing, but cooling off in them can be deadly."

Motoring organisations reported that coastal routes were busier than usual and a spokesman for the AA said: "We would advise holidaymakers that, because of the amount of traffic, delays are virtually inevitable."

But temperatures are likely to drop over the weekend. Rain is forcast for Bank Holiday Monday.

Tourism Minister Kim Howells is forcasting a busy summer for British tourist destinations.

Dr Howells said the tourism industry, which had "almost thrown in the towel" 30 years ago, was now fighting back.

But he said Britain had to advertise its attractions better if it was to win the battle to bring more visitors from abroad and persuade people to holiday at home.

Last year there were about 2.6 million trips made to English resorts and attractions, with visitors spending about £400 million.