Classic Tv comedy locations are being used to boost British tourism – and that’s no joke.

Tourism chiefs want us to “holiday at home” by visiting locations made famous by legendary TV comedians.

Visit Britain’s advertising campaign in June aims to tempt tourists to places such as seaside resort Torquay, the setting for Fawlty Towers and its irascible hotelier Basil Fawlty, played by John Cleese.

Trippers will also be urged to visit Morecambe Bay to see the statue on the promenade as a tribute to the Lancashire town’s most famous son – comedian Eric Morecambe.

Other destinations could include Norwich – home of Steve Coogan’s comic creation Alan Partridge who lived in a “competitively priced” Travel Tavern.

The campaign follows traveller chaos at Heathrow’s T5 and the soaring value of the euro against pound, making summer holidays abroad more expensive.

A Visit Britain spokeswoman said: “We want visitors to look at holidaying in Britain in a new light and forget some of their preconceptions.

“The comedy campaign will hopefully give them another reason to visit popular resorts, towns and cities which have links with popular comedy shows.

“With holidays abroad becoming more expensive, now is the perfect time to reconsider holidaying at home.”

She added that plans for all the various comedy locations were still to be finalised. But don’t go thinking all the venues will be exotic.

As Basil said: “What did you expect to see out of a Torquay window – herds of wildebeest roaming majestically?”

Eric Morecambe Morecambe

You can almost hear the bronze statue of Eric on the front singing ‘Bring Me Sunshine’

Last Of Summer Wine, Holmfirth

Visit Compo’s beautiful Pennines village, but don’t expect to see Nora Batty’s wrinkled stockings

Gavin & Stacey, Glamorgan

Stacey’s Barry Island is a ‘tidy’ little spot to visit for fans of the BBC3 cult hit sitcom

Fawlty Towers, Torquay

Enjoy Basil’s ‘English Riviera’ resort – but if you see any Germans just don’t mention the war

Rab C Nesbitt, Glasgow

Remember to wear your vest clothes in case you see Scotland’s most notorious alcoholic

The Likely Lads, Tyneside

See Bob & Terry’s old stamping ground… but watch out Thelma doesn’t catch on…

Alan Partridge, Norwich

Visit the Linton Travel Tavern where Alan (Steve Coogan) lived after his divorce. Back of the net!

Only Fools and Horses, Peckham

Only a plonker would miss out on seeing Del Boy’s flat in South London

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WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:

Trippers will also be urged to visit Morecambe Bay to see the statue on the promenade as a tribute to the Lancashire town’s most famous son –.
“We want visitors to look at holidaying in Britain in a new light and forget some of their preconceptions.
Visit Britain’s advertising campaign in June aims to tempt tourists to places such as seaside resort Torquay, the setting for Fawlty Towers and its irascible hotelier Basil Fawlty, played by John Cleese.