ST ANNES hoteliers could come under more pressure to be part of a quality inspection scheme over the next 18 months.

A meeting between hoteliers and Fylde Council this week tackled the issue of hotel standards and agreed that efforts should be made to get all hotels onto an inspection scheme.

After the meeting, tourism officer Paul Norris said that standards were not a problem but many resorts were now only promoting hotels who were part of a grading scheme.

He said there was a cost attached to schemes and some hoteliers had reservations about the gradings, but he added: "People are looking for quality. Although we have quality not all hotels are registered as part of a national scheme.

"We want people to feel in their own minds that they are part of a quality resort."

The meeting involving the Holiday Association of St Annes heard that the council had installed a first aid point, more life belts and information boards and a shower to work towards Seaside Award/ Blue Flag status.

It was also said that the £4,000 Christmas lights funds would be available to be overseen by the hoteliers and St Annes Chamber of Trade.