National tourist agency VisitEngland and culture secretary Jeremy Hunt have announced the launch of the UK's "largest-ever" domestic tourism marketing campaign.

VisitEngland is leading the Holidays At Home Are Great drive and is being supported by the home nation tourist boards in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to showcase the UK.

A new television advert is due to air from 8 March and will encourage residents to visit a new website - www.great2012offers.com - providing consumers with "thousands" of deals.

The campaign includes 2.5 million accommodation nights and is being backed by a range of leading tourism firms, including Marriott, De Vere and Millennium and Copthorne.

Hunt said: "With so much going on, this is the perfect time to make the most of the UK and take your holiday, long weekend or short break here."

VisitEngland chief executive James Berresford added: "Now is the time to holiday at home - there is no comparison anywhere else in the world with what's on offer here in the UK this year."

Details: www.visitengland.org

Image: Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint at Loch Awe, Scotland, as part of the campaign's TV advert - VisitEngland