It is being cursed by thousands of would-be holiday-makers, but businesses in Kent think they might actually benefit from the volcanic ash cloud.

Tourist organisation Visit Kent says we should see a rise in visitors to the area as Britons holiday at home to avoid potential chaos at the airport.

And it is launching an advertising campaign in London on Monday to take advantage of the situation and encourage city-dwellers to visit the Garden of England on hols.

The number of foreign holidays taken by people across the country has already dipped by 10 per cent over the last three months, and the tourist board is confident this trend will continue.

“The idea that you might be disrupted or left somewhere overseas without the ability to come home is unsettling for people,” says Chief Executive Sandra Matthews Marsh.

“I’m absolutely convinced that this will lead to more people staying in the UK in the coming year, or using the short sea crossings to travel to and from the UK rather than flying.”

Visit Kent says businesses are optimistic about the summer, with 82 per cent of Kent attractions anticipating this year will be the same or better than last year.