With the schools breaking up for summer and families preparing for their summer holiday, staff at Torquay’s Riviera International Centre are already turning their minds to Christmas.

The Centre has been receiving enquiries since January from people wanting to book their Christmas parties and so far has more than 1,300 people booked in for the festive season.

Laura Arnold, sales executive, said: "People do like to book their Christmas parties early to ensure they can get into the venue and date of their choice. When I returned to work after the Christmas break I had messages from people wanting to rebook their Christmas party for this year as they'd had such a good time last year.

"Last year by August most of our key dates for Christmas were booked up and we had to advise people to think about Christmas and book early so as not to be disappointed."

The Centre will again be offering a two course carvery which is always popular with revellers as well as the traditional three-course Christmas dinner. In addition function rooms are available for private parties lunchtime or evenings and the Bay Brasserie caters for smaller intimate parties.

Last year the Centre served a total of 3,343 meals with the Bay Brasserie serving an additional 1,262 Christmas meals.

Further information and bookings for the party nights can be obtained from Laura on 01803 206311, e-mail info@yourchristmasdo.co.uk or by visiting the website: www.yourchristmasdo.co.uk.

Picture – Laura Arnold, sales executive at the Riviera International Centre with managing director, Barry Cole, thinking about Christmas.