Britain could see a “dramatic” change in tourism in the next 20 years because of climate change, according to a new study.

In a report carried out by the University of East Anglia’s Climatic Research Unit and published in the Journal of Sustainable Tourism, experts have suggested that the UK could see a surge in tourism as people try to escape excessive summer temperatures in continental Europe.

David Viner, senior research scientist at Climatic Research Unit, said: “This study is the first major step to increasing our understanding of how climate change and tourism need to interact.

“Climate change will impact on many holiday destinations. For many this will be problematic, for others it will produce benefits.”

Blackpool is mentioned as having a chance for a major revival, due to “droughts, debilitating heat waves and fires, affecting the Mediterranean and key parts of Australia”. Details: www.cru.uea.ac.uk