HIT TV show My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding is set to draw a record number of visitors to the Appleby Horse Fair this summer.

The programme captured footage of travellers attempting to find love at last year's fair and tourism bosses have now said this has led to twice as many inquiries about the event.

Nicola Elliot, manager of Appleby Tourist Information Centre, said: "Not long after the horse fair was on TV, we had a 40 per cent rise in phone calls from people wanting to attend.

"All of them mentioned the show, and said that was the reason they wanted to come.

"I have absolutely no doubt this is going to be a bumper year for us."

This year's horse fair, which lasts six days, starts on Thursday, June 2 and accommodation in the Cumbrian town is already fully booked.

Ms Elliot added: "People have been intrigued, asking if we are the same Appleby from off the TV.

"We're advising visitors to look for hotels up to half an hour away and get the train in each day," she added.

Each year 10,000 Gypsies and Travellers and up to 30,000 visitors flock to the horse fair, which was granted a Royal Charter by King James II in 1685.

But this year Appleby residents should prepare themselves for thousands more visitors according to Gypsy spokesman Billy Welch, who lives in the Darlington area.

Mr Welch has appeared in the show and also sits on the fair's organising committee.

He said: "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding has opened the country's eyes to our community and culture and now non-Gypsies and travellers also want to find out what we're about.

"I've certainly heard there will be a lot more visitors than usual because of the show."

The six-part documentary series, attracted over 6.5 million viewers per episode.

It charted the lives of young gypsy and traveller women as they prepared for marriage with extravagant bridal dresses, towering wedding cakes and raucous receptions.