Tourist businesses in West Dorset received a boost according to new figures.

Figures from VisitBritain have revealed that almost 400,000 tourists came to Dorset in 2017, a four per cent increase from 2016 when 381,000 visited the county.

More tourists meant more money too, with an 18 per cent rise in tourist spending, with £226 million going to the local economy in 2017.

Nick Thornley, on behalf of the Visit Dorset Tourism Partnership, said: "It’s very encouraging to see an increase of four per cent in visitors numbers and 18 per cent in spend for Dorset in the latest figures from VisitEngland’s research on inbound tourism from overseas markets.

"These figures demonstrate the importance of tourism, in sustaining services that local communities benefit from all year round and its role as a vital part of the local economy.

"Dorset offers spectacular coast and outstanding countryside so it’s no surprise that it has broad appeal from both domestic and overseas visitors."

The release of the figures comes as thousands of tourists flocked to Bridport, Lyme Regis and the wider West Dorset area packing out the beach and many pubs, fish and chip shops, restaurants and cafés as temperatures rose to 30 degrees in one of the warmest summers since 1969.

Lyme Regis Museum director, David Tucker, said: "It's very difficult to judge increases in numbers of tourists visiting Lyme, it's such a lovely place, it's always buzzing during the summer.

"Since our museum reopened in July 2017, the intervening year has been very successful for us, with our hugely raised profile and lots of activities."

John Purse, owner of West Bay Canoes, believes it is difficult to say why the numbers have risen, however has noted that tourist numbers and spending for this year (2018) are up on last year.

John said: "I'm not sure that it's all down to the weather, tourist increase or what, but we are 50 per cent up on this time last year.

"We have paid more in advertising and been awarded a certificate of excellence from Trip Advisor, all of which helps."

David agreed, and said: "It actually feels to me that 2018 is busier than 2017.

"The wet spring saw the museum at bursting point on several occasions and the heatwave seemed to encourage people to seek relative coolness in the museum.

"People visit us from all over the world, but this summer has seen an increase in visits from our fellow Europeans, especially visitors from Germany, the Netherlands, France and Spain."

Nationally, tourism is proving to be a growing market to visitors from China, India, and the United States, pumping the economy with millions of pounds each year.

VisitBritain director, Patricia Yates, said: "Tourism is one of Britain's most valuable export industries and the strong growth across many of our high-value markets demonstrates our continued ability to attract international visitors in a fiercely competitive global industry, and to deliver economic growth right across the country.

"This growth underscores the increasing importance of tourism as an industry that demonstrates Britain is an outward-facing nation, welcoming and engaging people from all over the world."