Cooler temperatures have a ripple effect on tourism

Mr Eddins said the summer had not been as expected

The weather has affected visitor numbers in Somerset, according to the tourism industry.

As the Met Office announced the summer was the coolest since 2015, tourism businesses said they did not see the visitor numbers they expected.

However, hotels in cities in the south west have had a good summer, with a steady stream of visits from international tourists.

David Eddins, managing director of Mendip Acitivity centre, said: "It hasn't been as expected."

"We made some predictions of the numbers we'd like to see over the summer, we've traditionally seen some year-on-year growth. Unfortunately, we just didn't see those numbers arrive," he added.

"You're looking out of the window and it's raining, you're not necessarily thinking about going out and booking outdoor activities."

Ms Fox said people do not book rooms far in advance anymore

Anne Fox, who owns Yew Tree House Bed and Breakfast in Burnham-on-Sea, said fewer people have booked rooms in advance.

"Between 60-70% of the guests book in the month before the date they come. It's not like it used to be," Ms Fox said.

"As soon as we get a good forecast in June there will be a few who ring up and say: Have you got a room? The sun's out!"

However, cities in the south west, including Bristol and Bath, have seen a good summer, according to Kathryn Davis, managing director of Visit West.

"The hotels have had a good summer," Ms Davis added.

"Part of that is because you get your international visitors coming in.

"I think it's been a different summer but then post-pandemic every summer has been different."