VISITOR attractions are hoping for more bumper crowds today to cap a busy Easter weekend.

Daytrippers flocked in their thousands to soak up the warm sunshine on the region’s beaches yesterday.

Parks and outdoor attractions also reported more visitors than last year.

Hundreds of people enjoyed the opening weekends of the season at Raby Castle, in Staindrop, and Hamsterley Forest, both County Durham.

Both venues, along with Locomotion: The National Railway Musuem at Shildon, proved particularly popular with families by hosting children’s Easter activities.

Cyclists and walkers flocked to the forest and other popular routes in the Durham Dales.

Amy Craggs, of Beamish Wild, at Beamish Hall Country House Hotel, near Stanley, said: “It has been really busy – I think the sun does help bring people out.”

Staff at the Hartlepool Maritime Experience said they were rushed off their feet yesterday.

It was a similar story at Preston Park, in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, where people enjoyed a free day out in the fresh air.

A spokesman said: “The park has been very busy. I think we have had more people than this time last year.”

Flamingo Land, near Malton, North Yorkshire, also reported higher visitor numbers than Easter last year.

Staff at Helmsley Tourist Information Centre said the picturesque village on the North York Moors had been “heaving” over the weekend, adding: “We have had almost double the number of people than last year, but last year Easter was in March and the weather wasn’t as good.”

Ann Darlington, of Hall Hill Farm visitor attraction, in Lanchester, County Durham, said: “We have had an extremely busy weekend.

“We thought the recession would hit us, but it has not.”

Although many people stayed close to home, both the region’s airports reported their busiest weekend of the year with thousands flying out for short breaks.

More than 36,000 passengers are due to use Newcastle International Airport over the four-day bank holiday weekend.

The most popular destinations for North-East travellers are the Spanish sunshine hotspots of Alicante, Tenerife, Malaga and Palma.