SUFFOLK'S coast may not be the best place for surfing, but tourism chiefs have hit on a new idea which could bring more visitors from web browsers.They are hoping that those who spend time surfing the internet will spot the delights of the county's coastal strip on-line – and will then want to book a holiday or weekend break.

By Richard Cornwell

SUFFOLK'S coast may not be the best place for surfing, but tourism chiefs have hit on a new idea which could bring more visitors from web browsers.

They are hoping that those who spend time surfing the internet will spot the delights of the county's coastal strip on-line – and will then want to book a holiday or weekend break.

Tourism officers at Suffolk Coastal have arranged for the area's glossy holiday guide to be published on line so that anyone wanting to visit can find details of events, attractions and accommodation 24 hours a day.

Already more than 40,000 copies of the 50-page guide have been sent out as the interest in a holiday in the district continues to increase.

Last year, the council's Tourist Information Centres had sent out all its 65,000 copies by August, and this time a record 5,000 more have been printed.

The guide is divided into four main areas – Aldeburgh, Framlingham, Felixstowe and Woodbridge – and is 7.5pc bigger this year, featuring 189 attractions and places to stay, including guest houses, bed and breakfasts, hotels, self-catering accommodation, caravans and camping sites.

"The holiday guide is one of the most visited parts of the website, and either accessing the guide or using the search facility is quite simple," said Valerie Donovan, Suffolk Coastal's tourism and resort manager.

"It allows people to find out what a great place Suffolk Coastal is to live, work or play."

While the district's tourist trade is making no bold predictions about the season ahead, many attraction operators and accommodation owners are quietly confident that it will be a good year, as long as the sun shines.

With an expected downturn in people holidaying abroad because of the threat of terrorism, there could be more people taking shorter breaks at home and many more taking family daytrips.

The holiday guide can be viewed on-line by logging onto www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/leisure/visiting.html and then clicking on Holiday Guide 2003.

Also on the website is a search facility of all the accommodation listed in the guide, allowing people to find instantly the type of place they want to stay.