A wealth of attractions can be enjoyed by those taking holidays in Northumberland, including Cragside and Alnwick Castle and Gardens.

This is according to Visit Northumberland spokeswoman Sheelagh Caygill, who claimed that half-term breaks in the north-east should include a trip to the county.

"One of the key events will be at the National Trust's Cragside, which will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Lord Armstrong," she explained, adding that other leading destinations include Hadrian's Wall, Holy Island, Bamburgh Castle and Alnwick Garden and Castle.

Ms Caygill also noted that the staycation trend of 2009 had pushed up visitor numbers in Northumberland.

With some of the UK's most extensive contemporary landscape gardens - including a tree top restaurant - and a medieval castle used in films and television programmes such as Harry Potter, Elizabeth, Becket and Blackadder, Alnwick Garden and Castle is a popular visitor attraction.