A seaside boat business has been chosen to feature in a government drive to encourage tourism companies to use the internet.

Allchorn Pleasure Boats in Eastbourne is a star in the Government's Go For IT campaign, showing how to convert web visitors into actual visitors.

Go for IT is supported by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, English Tourism Council and a range of companies from the industry.

The Eastbourne company is featured, along with seven others, on a video and CD-Rom that showcases the way the company has developed its business through information technology.

Allchorn has been a feature of the resort's seafront since 1860.

It operates two boats during the summer, providing cruises along the coast to Beachy Head.

The company built a free web page on the South-East England Tourist Board site that has generated international bookings.

Managing director Christopher Laycock said: "We have seen bookings rise significantly due to our presence on the internet.

"Our investment in the project has already been recouped 50 times over. We now attract guests from all over the world who can see for themselves what a fantastic place the UK is to visit for holidays.

"One of the more unusual jobs that came as a result was for a TV production company working on a series about the kings and queens of England. They used our boat, the Southern Queen, to film at Pevensey Bay for the episode on William The Conqueror.

"They were from London but the found us by using the internet.

"We have also taken a lot more bookings from student groups from Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands who plan to visit the area this summer.

"The site has given us the chance to publicise the special one-off cruises we run. We had one for the Golden Jubilee, one for the summer solstice and there will be another in October to mark the centenary of the Beachy Head lighthouse.

"We are probably one of the oldest businesses in the area but we are happy to use the latest technology to get our name across."

UK Online for Business a partnership between government and industry which promotes the business benefits of technology.

The video and CD-Rom package is backed by a range materials and the network of UK Online for Business advisers, based at Business Links.

They provide cost-effective, impartial and jargon-free advice on the benefits of doing business online.

Tourism minister Kim Howells said: "The internet offers huge potential for tourism businesses but some small and micro-tourism businesses feel they do not have the resources expertise to keep pace with the new technology.

"That's why the CD-Rom and video have been put together help them get the practical help and advice they need to get online to boost their business potential. About half the population has access to the internet.

It is hardly surprising more and more people are planning and booking their holidays on the web."

Further information can be found on the UK Online web site.

www.ukonlineforbusiness.gov.uk