Summer and those glorious hot days may just be around the corner but at Torquay’s Riviera International Centre the staff are already thinking about next Christmas.

In fact, the phones haven’t stopped ringing with people looking to book their Christmas parties….even before Easter.

Two Saturdays in December are already fully booked and over 200 revellers have made provisional bookings for other dates which has even surprised the Centre’s staff.

Sales and marketing manager Jenny Thompson explained: “We are amazed at the number of enquiries that are coming in so early this year. But we were always aware that the premium dates would go very, very quickly. It seems that local businesses have realised that if they don’t get in early, they will miss out on the best dates.”

Most people are eager to book a Saturday night and to encourage more parties to book mid week nights, Jenny has reduced the price quite significantly… starting from just £12 per person.

This year the Centre will also be offering for the first time a two course carvery as well as the traditional three course Christmas dinner.

Head chef Horace Ham explained: “We have decided to offer a carvery because they are extremely popular at all times. The evenings will be very relaxed and revellers will be invited to visit the carvery anytime between 7.30pm and 9.30pm .We expect the nights to be very popular.”

Our photo shows Jenny, centre, flanked by conference and events co-ordinator Vicki Newton, left and reception team member, Sarah Poole, right, busy taking orders for the Christmas party nights.