The stunning seaside town of Dartmouth in the South Hams is fast becoming a leading tourist hub for cruises liners from around the globe.

Tourism body Destination South West has announced that 12 cruise ships would dock in the town in 2008 and 2009.

The Royal Princess, formally named Minerva, is among the top vessels heading for Dartmouth.

The ship, which can carry up to 838 passengers, is expected to visit the town on two separate occasions in 2008.

Destination South West director Bob Harrison welcomed the news, saying it would boost local trade.

"Dartmouth's natural beauty is well known. People love going there. I can definitely say 2008 will be better than 2007, and 2009 will be better again," said Mr Harrison.

"A lot of ships haven't been in this part of the world recently - they travel cyclically - but it’s looking good for the next two years.

"Europe is becoming the destination of choice and we want to take advantage of that. Dartmouth is at an advantage because ships can get in close."

But Dartmouth's growing reputation as a key destination for cruise liners has come at the expense of nearby Torbay.

Destination South West said that it expects only four ships to dock in Torbay in the next two years. These include Prinsendam and the World.

"Torbay hasn't been as strong. I think the companies are a bit reluctant to visit an exposed anchorage," said Mr Harrison.

"If the weather's bad they can't anchor off the Bay. If a visit has to be called off it doesn't go down well with the passengers and it doesn’t go down well with the tourism operators."