An extra £90,000 of out-of-season business for Pembrokeshire was generated by £12,000 worth of grant aid given to help marketing county events.

From belly dancing to blues music, events held during spring, autumn and winter of 2008 brought in around 14,000 extra visitors to the county.

The grants were given by Pembrokeshire Tourism which is inspired by the success of the small town of Llanwrtyd Wells, where the world bog-snorkelling championships and other wacky events have boosted its economy by £1.5million a year.

Said Pembrokeshire Tourism's chief executive, Alison Belton: "Our aim is to extend the season, making Pembrokeshire an all-year-round sustainable holiday destination."

The man behind Llanwrtyd Wells' success, Gordon Green MBE, recently spoke to trade members about the town and its marketing at the recent presentation of events grants.

The presentation was held at the newly-built St. Dogmael's Visitor Centre on the border of Pembrokeshire, where event funding from Pembrokeshire Tourism was behind the success of its Christmas Fayre.

Project director Nia Siggins, who arranged for Santa to arrive by coracle, said the event was so successful that it will be repeated this year.

She added: "Pembrokeshire Tourism's event funding enabled us to market to a much wider target audience outside our own area, with the funding paying for advertising on the radio and in publications wider afield."

Tenby Winter Carnival, Newport Bay Spring Festival, Haverfordwest's international celebration and the Chevron Pembrokeshire Team Challenge and Quadrathlon were all amongst events supported in 2008.

Anyone planning an out-of-season event this year can call Pembrokeshire Tourism on 01646 622228 to discuss grant opportunities.