THE English tourism industry is booming and is predicted to grow faster than the overall economy every year for the next decade, according to new research.

The Local Government Association (LGA) said councils that harness new powers given to them through devolution stand to gain the most from the growing industry.

Domestic tourism is predicted to grow 2.9 per cent every year over the next decade, outpacing the overall economy which is expected to expand 2.5 per cent yearly, according to research commissioned by the LGA.

Brighton is one of the top tourist destinations in England with visitors putting around £1 billion into the local economy each year.

Tourism is thriving in part due to holidaymakers who are reportedly taking advantage of the falling pound following the EU referendum vote to spend more while in the UK.

And a growing trend for "staycations" among Britons is also helping to fuel the upsurge.

Latest industry figures showed there were 103 million overnight trips in England in 2015, an 11 per cent increase on 2014, while expenditure jumped 8 per cent to £19.6 billion.

Ian Stephens, chairman of the LGA's culture, tourism and sport board, said: "Councils have long recognised, and supported, the value of tourism to local growth, jobs and prosperity, which the devolution agenda should be primed to exploit.

"The tourist economy is one of the UK's fastest growing economic sectors and councils have the opportunity to align their devolved responsibilities to improve their tourism offer to best showcase their unique identity and heritage."