HOTELS in Swindon are enjoying a rush for rooms from people attending the Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford.

Spectators, photographers and plane spotters from all over the UK and Europe will be crowding into Swindon before attending the event next weekend.

The show is returning to Fairford for 2002. It moved to RAF Cottesmore in Rutland for two years while the runway at Fairford was being re-built.

The return means extra business for hoteliers in Swindon and the surrounding towns spectators will be able to get to the show on a bus shuttle running from Swindon railway station.

Pete Gawke, who runs the bar at the White Hart Hotel in High Street, Cricklade, says the return of the Tattoo has been a perfect tonic for his industry, especially after problems caused last year by the foot and mouth outbreak.

He said: "We are always full for the Tattoo weekend.

"Many hotels have had their rooms booked since last year, and many customers are returning."

Annette Dagenam, general manager of the newly-opened Express by Holiday Inn at Blagrove, said: "We have been open for just over a year, and we are expecting more than 250 guests in our 121 rooms, which will be the most we have ever had.

"Usually we get around 30 to 40 per cent occupancy at the weekend but we are completely full next weekend, with bookings from all over the place.

"We even have a group from Russia."

The Blunsdon House Hotel also sees an increase in the clients it serves over the Royal International Air Tattoo weekend.

Philip Dodds, business development manager at the hotel, said: "All our rooms on the Saturday are full, although we still have vacancies for the Friday.

"Most of our customers tend to be businesses and organisations, which are exhibiting at the show, who book about a year in advance."

The Royal International Air Tattoo 2002 will attract aircraft from 35 nations around the world, making it the world's largest military airshow.