Merlin Entertainments, one of the world's largest attractions operator, has teamed up with national tourism agency VisitEngland to launch a new £600,000 joint marketing campaign.

The promotional push will start on 12 March to coincide with English Tourism Week and is to comprise 20-second peak time television adverts, as well as online advertising.

Merlin and VisitEngland's campaign will highlight the operator's 25 per cent discount on a standard annual pass, which provides year-round entry to sites such as Legoland Windsor.

The marketing drive supports the Holidays at Home are GREAT campaign, which launched earlier this month and aims to inspire UK residents to visit domestic locations in 2012.

VisitEngland chair Lady Cobham said: "We are particularly excited by this partnership with Merlin, one of our most exciting and dynamic leisure organisations offering world-class attractions throughout the UK."

Details: www.visitengland.org

Image: Legoland Windsor, one of Merlin's UK attractions – Jerry Daykin