Regular visitors to the English Riviera will see some major changes to Torquay following a recent investment of £21m.

TORQUAY has undergone a £21 million investment, which has revitalised the town's harbour and waterfront.

Tourist bosses are hoping thousands of extra visitors will be drawn to the town this year.

The flagship project Living Coasts is a 'world-class marine animal centre' focusing on the conservation of coastal and marine life from around the globe.

Run by the nearby, very popular, Paignton Zoo, it is set to be a big draw.

Other new features for the area will include a family restaurant and a pedestrian bridge that will provide a viewing point for national and international events taking place at the harbour.

A modern footbridge now links the old quay with the south pier, which enables people to walk all the way around the inner harbour.

Torquay, of course, is known as the English Riviera. Palm trees grow there and it has one of the mildest climates in Britain.

When the weather is sunny there are plenty of beaches to enjoy, including long stretches of sand at Paignton, and lots of outdoor attractions.

One of our favourites was the Model Village at Babbacombe, which my six-year-old daughter adored.

Opened more than 40 years ago, the village holds endless delights, with tiny replicas of schools, churches, streets of shops, working railways, boats, and even firefighters tending a burning house.

The village is open during the eve-ning in the summer, when it is beautifully lit with tiny lights in each building. There is also an impressive 'aquaviva' light and water display, so it is really worth a night visit.

If the weather is not so friendly there are still several interesting attractions where you can take shelter.

The Bygones Museum is just around the corner from the model village and is educational and diverse.

On one floor you can see a Victorian street with pub, ironmongers, grocers and sweet shop.

Upstairs there are fascinating room interiors from the same period, including a nursery, kitchen and bathroom, as well as an incredible dolls house.

On the third floor there is a giant model railway, a children's fantasy land, a walk-through First World War 'trench' and a militaria collection.

Another must-see is Kent's Cavern. There the guided 45-minute tours will explain everything you ever wanted to know about the prehistoric caves and the men, women and animals who lived in them

My daughter loved the experience, even when the entertaining guide put out the lights and torches and sank us into pitch darkness!

Also within easy reach of Torquay are the Paignton to Dartmouth steam railway, Paignton Zoo, seaside towns such as Dawlish, and, of course, the wild depths of Dartmoor.

And as it's less than three hours from South Wales by car, Torquay is a perfect destination, either for a short break or a longer holiday.

FACT FILE

* GETTING THERE:

By Road: Take the M4 east from Newport, then join the M5 southbound. At the end of the M5 take the A38 and A380 to Torquay. This is the most direct route, but the area around Newton Abbot becomes very congested so it could be worth planning an alternative route.

By Rail: A Supersaver return from Newport to Torquay costs £26.70, but cannot be used on a Friday. A limited number of Apex tickets are available at £20 return - but these must be booked at least seven days in advance and you must state the exact date and time of your journey when buying the ticket.

* WHERE WE STAYED:

Millbrook House Hotel, Old Mill Road, Torquay, is owned and run by Jenny and Graham Branch, who give a warm welcome to all their guests.

The hotel has been awarded five diamonds by the English Tourism Council and has ten tastefully decorated rooms. It is about a seven-minute walk from the town centre and beach. B&B in a double room costs from £24 a person a night. The weekly B&B is £160. A three-course dinner, with choices, is £11.

The hotel can be contacted on 01803 297394.