PEPPA Pig was among those who travelled to the Channel Islands in a bid to boost Hampshire tourism.

The initiative, led by Southampton Airport, was designed to promote what the county has to offer to visitors but also the airport as a gateway to London.

Representatives of a number of locations, including Paultons Park, which hosts the popular Peppa Pig World attraction, Beaulieu, Southampton’s SeaCity Museum, Southampton Art Gallery, the city’s Tudor House and Gardens, the Ageas Bowl and Business South joined airport representatives on a visit to Jersey and Guernsey.

The roadshow also included Blue Islands, Flybe, Jersey Airport and Guernsey Airport who were raising awareness of the increasing flights between Southampton and the Channel Islands.

South West Trains joined the event to promote special Rail-Air tickets available to Flybe and Blue Islands passengers.

Southampton Airport said this market continues to expand with six per cent growth in 2013 on the previous year with 323,134 passengers. Event organiser Jan Halliday, Southampton Airport’s director of marketing and communications, said: “The Channel Islands account for 19 per cent of the overall traffic at Southampton Airport yet many people from the islands visit Southampton for hospital treatment or shopping trips. We’re really keen to attract people to stay longer to experience our beautiful region and this event is part of a wider marketing campaign.”