Ash cloud does have a silver lining!

Hotels and tourist information centres in Ballymoney and Moyle have reported an increase in the number and duration of visits. This is mainly due to the cancellation of visitors' flights home and the reluctance of some people to book holidays abroad whilst the uncertainty remains.

Many of those stranded in Northern Ireland have used the opportunity to spend some extra time exploring the North Coast.

Paula from the Marine Hotel in Ballycastle says there has been extra custom since the volcanic ash cloud.

"Some visitors haven't been able to get back home because of the cancelled flights, and have booked extra nights with us" she said.

Jackie from the Ballymoney Tourist Information Office confirmed that trade has been boosted since the ash cloud chaos began.

"We have had many more enquiries about booking accommodation," she explained.

"Both from people who have been stranded and from local people who have decided to stay at home. It has been a great time for local tourism recently, especially with the North West 200 and all the visitors that brought to the town."

The Smuggler's Inn, situated close to the Giant's Causeway have also reported new foreign visitors thanks to the ash cloud. American and Australian tourists, who had been stuck in Belfast unable to fly home, decided to make the most of the situation and take a trip to the North Coast.

William from the Smuggler's Inn also said that people who were unable to get away on foreign holidays had changed their plans and decided to holiday in Northern Ireland instead.

"We had some Scottish guests who had booked their summer holidays in Tenerife. When their flights were cancelled they had to make other plans, and chose to come over to Northern Ireland", he said.

The extra income will be welcome news for the local tourism industry, which has been trying to lure holidaymakers away from foreign holidays, and persuade them to have a look at what is available right on their doorstep. It would seem that this particular cloud does have a silver lining, for local tourism at least!