The Dorset resorts of Bournemouth and Poole have become partners in a campaign to woo Brits back from the costas – and into holiday homes and hotels in their area.

Although near neighbours, the two towns have never worked together before. Now they are pooling resources (sorry!) in a new joint marketing campaign.

Bruce Grant-Braham chairman of Poole Tourism Management Board, says, “The collapse of sterling against both the euro and the dollar is forcing many people to re-think their holiday habits, and together we aim to be the first to welcome them back from the costas.”

Alex Carter, chair of Bournemouth Tourism Management Board comments, “Having enjoyed huge success individually, we are now joining forces to offer an even better, unrivalled range of holiday experiences at unbeatable prices.”

Bournemouth and Poole attract about seven million visitors between them a year. Quite a large proportion are regulars who return again and again.

Despite their proximity, the towns have very different personalities. Bournemouth has glorious beaches, well kept gardens and is, in many ways, the quintessential English seaside resort. Poole, with its famous and somewhat exclusive Sandbanks peninsula, a marina for 1500 vessels and fame as Europe’s largest natural harbour, sees itself perhaps as slightly more edgy.

The two tourism bosses feel that, between them, the towns offer just about everything a holidaymaker could want. That includes: 10 miles of sand, accommodation to suit all pockets, live music venues, theatre, museums, galleries, leisure centres, golf (eight courses), restaurants, pubs and tea rooms – and no foreign language problems (not to mention no airport security hassles and delays).