Bookings for short breaks to Liverpool have rocketed in the first six months of 2008, it has been claimed.

According to internet holiday firm lastminute.com, bookings have soared by 136 per cent in the Capital of Culture year.

The Mersey Partnership, the regional tourist board, said the figures provided further proof that Liverpool is a city of cultural importance, reports the Daily Post.

Director of tourism Martin King told the paper: "Interest in the city and the wider destination is reaching record levels and that's underlined by lastminute.com.

"As well as thrilling and entertaining locals and residents, the 2008 programme of events, attractions and activities across the destination is clearly pulling in big numbers of extra visitors."

Meanwhile, the Liverpool One retail development has welcomed an extra 100,000 visitors per week since John Lewis opened its flagship store at the end of May.