Hoteliers say the resort is a family-friendly place during the week

Bookings at the Lancashire resort are down 17% on last year with mid-week bookings hit particularly hard.

Stag and hen groups keep the resort busy at weekends but many blame their rowdy behaviour for putting off families.

Colin Asplin, president of the Blackpool Hotel and Guest House Association, said the resort was a family-friendly place during the week.

He said: "I've been here 10 years now and this certainly is the worst season so far, but I can't put my finger on why it is bad.

You can still have a super time in Blackpool - you've got the Pleasure Beach, you've got the tower and also there's some super shows Colin Asplin, hotelier

"The weather has been absolutely beautiful, there's been no big football tournaments. I just can't put my finger on it.

"It's a super place, it's a fun place, and during the week it's an ideal place for families.

"At weekends it does change, we do get the stag and hens, but that's for two days of the week.

"You can still have a super time in Blackpool - you've got the Pleasure Beach, you've got the tower and also there's some super shows. Come to Blackpool please."

But one tourist, Fred Ball, said he had come to Blackpool for the first time in 25 years and was disappointed with what it had to offer.

'It smells'

He said: "I think there's better opportunities on the continent and elsewhere.

"I don't think it's got anything to offer, it's no different to how it was 25 years ago - it smells."

Taxi driver Neil Parkinson said stag and hen parties had put families off.

He said: "A lot of families are hearing about the weekend trade.