More and more families are discovering the National Forest as a holiday destination, say tourism bosses.

From 2003 to 2008, the number of tourists visiting the forest rose by a fifth.

Latest annual figures showed 7.4 million visitors enjoying a day out in the forest, while a further 1.2 million extended their stays overnight.

Between them they spent almost £287 million over the year, supporting some 4,422 jobs.

Farmers and other businesses are hoping to cash in by attracting even more people.

Many are receiving grants to diversify into tourism, while the National Forest Company is setting up a new website to promote it – using an interactive Google map to help tourists plan their trip, finding walking routes, fishing and cycling spots, events, hotels and shops.

National Forest Company spokeswoman, Penny Wilkinson, said: "The area is a visitor destination now and we wanted a website that allows people to see at a glance exactly what they could do.

"It's about giving better information in an inspiring way.

"We get a lot of visitors to Snibston, Conkers, Ashby Castle, Bradgate Park and other places. The aim of this website is to increase the number of visitors."

Di Lovett runs Measham House Farm, near Ashby, with her husband John.

She said: "It's so beautiful here and the National Forest is really raising the profile of this area."

The couple have two camping fields and three bedrooms for rent.

John said: "The National Forest is all about regenerating the area after the decline of coal mining.

"But for farmers, there is always a struggle with the restrictions on prices we can get, so tourism is a way of increasing our revenue."

David Blow from Nottinghamshire visited the forest with his five-year-old daughter, Mirren, during the half-term week, and stayed at Measham House Farm.

He said: "We're having a great week. There is a lot to do.

"We've been to Moira Furnace, the National Space Centre, Ashby Castle and Conkers. We also plan to go to Bosworth Battlefield."

Other visitors included Mark and Anne Hodgson, who were visiting from Darlington, with their children Stacey, 20, and John, 16.

Mark, 50, said: "We come mainly for Twycross Zoo, but we also like the industrial heritage sites."

Since 2003, the number of tourism jobs in the area has risen 10%, to more than 4,400.

www.visitnationalforest.co.uk