THERE was no golden coach to take Cinderella home when the clock struck 12 at Felixstowe – but instead a vintage bus arriving with a special delivery.The 1949 Bedford from Ipswich Transport Museum was bringing to the resort the first copies of its 2003 holiday guide, showing how visitors will be able to have a ball in the Suffolk Coastal area next year.

THERE was no golden coach to take Cinderella home when the clock struck 12 at Felixstowe – but instead a vintage bus arriving with a special delivery.

The 1949 Bedford from Ipswich Transport Museum was bringing to the resort the first copies of its 2003 holiday guide, showing how visitors will be able to have a ball in the Suffolk Coastal area next year.

District council chairman John Richardson, accompanied by members of the Felixstowe Musical Theatre cast from Cinderella, which opened at the Spa Pavilion last night, received the first copies of the brochure in a special midday ceremony at the theatre.

Over the next three months, tourist information centre staff will mail out 70,000 copies of the guide to families at home and abroad.

"We have increased our print run by another 5,000 to try and meet the massive demand for the Guide and consequent interest in Suffolk Coastal as a holiday area," said Mr Richardson.

"More people than ever are finding out for themselves what a great place Suffolk Coastal is in which to live, work or play."

He said the guide was 7.5pc bigger than last year with more than 50 pages, featuring 189 attractions and places to stay, including guest houses, bed and breakfasts, hotels, self-catering accommodation, caravans and camping sites.

A national advertising campaign for the Suffolk Coast begins on Boxing Day.

"Tourism and leisure is a major source of employment and income, and this Council is pleased to play its part in supporting its growth. Any visitor to Suffolk Coastal is guaranteed a genuinely friendly welcome and I hope this holiday guide will play its part in attracting even more people to the delights of our district during 2003," added Mr Richardson.

From next week, the new guide should also be on the council's website – www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/leisure – with an "easy to use" search facility for anyone wanting to find somewhere to stay in the district.