Holiday lets business Best of Suffolk has reported a 30% increase in Easter bookings compared with last year.

The agency, based at Badingham, near Framlingham, says the increase highlights a growing trend in families choosing Suffolk for their Easter break rather than traveling further afield.

Although coastal holidays in seaside towns such as Aldeburgh and Southwold remain popular, Best of Suffolk says that a significant proportion of bookings favour properties in the Suffolk countryside and the county’s historic towns such as Lavenham, Long Melford and Bury St Edmunds.

Naomi Tarry, who founded the agency with husband and co-director Alex nine years ago, said: “With more people choosing to spend their Easter holiday in Suffolk, it’s a strong sign that 2015 is going to be a good year for Suffolk tourism.

“Tourism contributes £1.8billion to the Suffolk economy a year and is an important source of employment in the county, so it is important to many individuals and businesses that it performs well,” she added.

Best of Suffolk, which has more than 300 holiday cottages on its books, has recently improved its online presence, with a new mobile and tablet-friendly website, which it says has contributed to a surge in online bookings.