Pigeon fanciers 'give Blackpool a £10m boost'

More than 1,000 show pigeons and 3,000 racing pigeons were on show

Blackpool has had a £10m boost to its economy thanks to pigeon fanciers, it is claimed.

Thousands went to the resort this weekend for the 40th British Homing World Show of the Year staged at the Winter Gardens.

VisitBlackpool's Mandy Tythe-McCallum said: "[It] means a lot to business.

"The event takes place in January - a notoriously quiet time for businesses across the resort, so the event really does offer a well needed boost."

She added: "We estimate the British Homing World Show of the Year to be worth somewhere in the region of £10m to businesses across Blackpool - that includes B&Bs, hotels, restaurants, shops and all other businesses who benefit from over 25,000 weekend visitors flocking to Blackpool for the show every year."

More than 1,000 show pigeons and 3,000 racing pigeons were on show at the event, organised by the Royal Pigeon Racing Association.

The 2012 Supreme Champion was Norman Perry, 71, from Port Talbot, South Wales, who won Best Racer and Best in Show with his pigeon Hollie.

The event started in Doncaster in 1972, but has been held in Blackpool since 1977.