THE Easter escape was well under way today with Boltonians enjoying an April Fools' Day with temperatures expected to tip the 70s.

And weathermen predict glorious weather for the North-west lasting well into the Easter weekend.

Motoring organisations warned of congestion on routes out of Bolton - as locals make the most of the good weather and head towards the coasts to Blackpool and Southport.

And those heading for holiday hotspots abroad are being warned to take extra time heading for Manchester Airport.

Roadworks on the A538, the AA warn, are causing tailbacks with a 30mph contraflow in operation.

For those opting to make a beeline for the shopping centres on Good Friday, expect jams - especially along routes approaching the Trafford Centre. Most major roadworks have been suspended over the holiday period but the big worry for drivers was likely to be engine overheating, said the AA.

A local AA spokesman said: "People should carry out simple checks on their cars before setting off on a longer-than-usual journey.

"If they are carrying an extra load, then make sure the tyre pressures are checked out as well as the water levels."

Many of the 1.5 million Britons due to travel abroad over Easter - including 155,000 North-west passengers in the next four days - will wonder whether they have made the wrong choice.

For some, foreign hotspots may not be able to match the temperatures that thermometers could reach at home today.

The Met Office in Manchester say Good Friday will be slightly cooler than April Fools' Day. But the dry spell is expected to continue until Easter Monday shining favourably on Bolton's tourist attractions such as Rivington Pike and numerous Easter fun fairs and attractions.

Forecasters say the warm weather will persist into next week - in stark contrast to Easter last year which proved a wash-out and heralded one of the wettest Aprils this century.

Manchester Airport say that they are preparing to experience a six per cent increase in passengers - compared to last Easter.

Favourite sun spots for North-west travellers this break include Majorca, Tenerife and Orlando. Top short-break destinations are Paris, Dublin and Amsterdam.

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