INQUIRIES at Cleveleys tourist information centre have rocketed by more than a third – thanks to the Riverdance.

Bosses at the centre say that the number of visitors to their office, on Victoria Road West, have shot up while the sale of tide timetables have also picked up with visitors keen to find out when they can get a close look at the battered vessel.

The boost to Cleveleys tourism has provided a welcome out of season boost for traders in the area too.

Martin Hunns, chairman of Cleveleys Traders' Forum, said: "The Riverdance has provided a huge boost for businesses with customers flocking.

"It's fantastic for the town and hopefully when people come to see the ship and have a walk round the town and see all the work going on, they will decide to come back."