Cumbria is celebrating its best tourism season in more than five years.

The region hit worst by the foot-and-mouth outbreak had a bumper summer with full hotels and guest houses.

In the three peak months of summer the county had the highest room occupancy rate in the country outside London, tourist officials said.

The figures, compiled by the United Kingdom Occupancy Survey, coincide with the launch of Cumbria's holiday guide for 2003.

Cumbria has had its best figures for five years

Hoteliers in Cumbria said 2002 was its most important year since the war, after the tourism industry was hit by the foot and mouth crisis and the terrorist atrocities of September 11.

Postcards were sent to would-be holidaymakers and new websites set up urging tourists to consider taking a trip to the Lake District.

Even the Prince of Wales and Prime Minister Tony Blair were asked to help and each spent short breaks relaxing in the region in an attempt to give the ailing tourist sector a boost.

The new figures calculate the percentage of available hotel, guesthouse and bed and breakfast rooms filled in the four months from June to September.

High occupancy

In June, two-thirds, or 66%, of all available rooms were full, compared with just half (50%) in 2001 and an average of 58% between 1997 and 2000.

Some 68% of rooms were full in July, compared with a previous best of 64% in 2000, while figures rose to 72% in August, against a previous high of 69% in 1997.

Even in September, room occupancy was higher in 2002 than in any year since 1997 - when comparable records began.

Chris Collier, chief executive of Cumbria Tourist Board, said: "Cumbria, the Lake District, is among the most successful and internationally renowned holiday destinations in the world.

"As well as the famous Lakes and fells, the region is also well-renowned for its reputation for excellent food and drink, fascinating heritage, fabulous gardens and its unrivalled position as Britain's biggest outdoor activity park."