TOURISM bosses in the North-East are hoping that a spring campaign will bring 40,000 visitors to the region.

One NorthEast and Northumbria Tourist Board (NTB) are backing the drive that begins in the middle of next month and aims to promote the region to UK holidaymakers.

The push will help to promote short breaks and a range of activities.

Forget Everything Else is one of the most high-profile tourist campaigns in the region for several years.

Chairman of One North-East Margaret Fay said: "We hope that this major push will be reflected in an increase in the number of visitors across the whole of our region.

"We want the news to get out that this is a fantastically varied region, with a superb range of activities for people of all ages, budgets and interests."

The campaign builds on the work the NTB has already carried out in developing its visitor guide.

About 100,000 guides are expected to be requested through direct mail and hits to its website.

Its chief executive, Peter Sloyan, said: "We want this campaign to demonstrate just how much this region has to offer. In a relatively compact area you can enjoy an exciting city experience and then relax in the countryside.

"Of course we want to get 'heads in beds' through this campaign, but we also hope it will play an important role in raising overall awareness of our part of the world."