A FAMILY-RUN cruise operator has seen its bookings double year-on-year despite the economic downturn.

River Escapes, which operates on the River Tyne, has seen a significant rise in regional charters for parties or corporate events.

A recent Populus poll revealed that more than two thirds of British people have changed their leisure spending as a result of the recession, with a quarter saying they had cancelled plans for a summer break and 51 per cent revealing they stay at home at a weekend.

Managing director David Fozard said: “We have increased our bookings despite the credit crunch, and I must give credit to the people of the North-East who are really supporting local firms.”