STAFF at a major tourist attraction are hoping administrators can find a buyer for the holiday park where they work – and safeguard 23 jobs.

Tattershall Lakes Country Park is a 325-acre area of woods, parkland and waterways, near RAF Coningsby, which offers activities such as waterskiing, golf, fishing and cabin-like accommodation.

But owner Allerway Leisure Ltd, who own a number of similar sites, struggled during the economic downturn and called in the receivers a fortnight ago.

Phil Pierce, partner at Baker Tilly and joint administrator for Allerway Leisure, said: "Allerway Leisure Ltd was placed into administration on August 12.

"The company has continued to trade and since going into administration it has attracted significant interest from a number of parties.

"It is our intention to keep Tattershall Lakes Country Park open as we look to sell the business and safeguard jobs."

Laura Shaw , a spokesman for the National Trust, which owns nearby Tattershall Castle, said the charity would be monitoring the situation with interest.

"The people who had Tattershall Park have had it for three or four years and Tattershall Castle has had a good neighbourly relationship with them in that time.

"The park currently benefits our property by providing a great view across the woods and water from the top of the tower.

"And we will need to keep an eye on any development on that site because of the historic nature of the area.

"We've heard on the grapevine the plans are for it to continue being a leisure park, but we will be interested to see what happens."

But the threat of closure comes at a time when families are reportedly turning more towards so called "staycations" – holidays within the UK – in order to save money and beat the credit crunch. Penny Baker, chief executive of Lincolnshire Tourism said that despite research showing a healthy picture for domestic tourism in both day visitor numbers and the numbers taking camping and caravanning short breaks, the economic climate was undoubtedly affecting businesses across the county.

"It is a really mixed picture," she said.

"As unemployment remains high and disposable income limited, we remain cautiously optimistic going into the autumn and winter months, and are working hard to increase Lincolnshire's profile as a short-break destination with year-round appeal."