Devon and Cornwall visitors 'turned away by weather'

Most tourism businesses in Devon and Cornwall were hit by a fall in visitors in May because of bad weather and the economic slowdown, a survey suggests.

The South West Tourism Alliance (SWTA) questioned 127 businesses in Devon and 82 in Cornwall.

A report showed that in May 60% of Cornwall businesses and 53% of Devon businesses had seen a fall in numbers compared with the same month in 2011.

It followed cold and wet weather in April which led to a number of floods.

Many businesses questioned in the report blamed the weather and the economic slowdown for the drop in numbers.

Forecasters are predicting better weather for the start of schools' holidays this weekend.

Mark Jenkins, owner of the Grosvenor Hotel in Torquay, said: "The phones have started to ring.

"But even if we have a boom August it won't make up for what we lost."