Tourist boom time for visitor attractions

Visitor attractions and accommodation providers in Shropshire and Mid Wales were gearing up for a busy bank holiday weekend today with some predicting record-breaking numbers.

Tourists from as far away as America have been flocking to the region to bask in the glorious unseasonal weather and sparking a rush for accommodation as bed and breakfast vacancies are disappearing fast.

Mereside Farm Bed and Breakfast in Ellesmere is fully booked for the foreseeable future with bosses saying some of their guests have come from America to be in Britain over the next week or so.

Owner Nicky Stokes said: "We are fully booked for the coming days with holidaymakers."

Mary Whyte, visitor centre supervisor at Hawkstone Park Follies, near Wem, said: "We have been busy every day for the last couple of weeks with all the nice weather It's almost record-breaking, so we hope it continues."

With so many people expected to be out and about enjoying the warm weather in the region, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has called on families to take extra care near water courses.

Peter Cornall, RoSPA's head of leisure safety, said: "This Easter weekend, we're urging families to think through the hazards associated with inland waters and to make sure they know what to do if something goes wrong."

Officials at the Safer Roads Partnership in West Mercia have called on drivers using the county's roads to drive safely, be patient with other road users and leave plenty of time to get to their destination

The safety advice has been issued after three accidents on the A49 in south Shropshire this week.