BUSINESSES in Looe are looking forward to improved weather at the start of the school summer holidays after weeks of wind and rain.

The forecast is better, with sunshine and warmer temperatures predicted as the tourist season reaches its peak.

The good weather ahead is in stark contrast to what has gone before.

In the last few weeks, the Looe Tourist Information Centre (TIC) has been handing out hundreds of their leaflets on 'What To Do When It Rains' and had to order a reprint.

Soggy tourists have been turning to the TIC for advice on what they can do to keep themselves and their children entertained, with the rain and wind making the traditional bucket and spade holiday almost impossible.

The rainy days throughout May and June saw a downturn in the tourist industry, with July not fairing much better.

TIC manager Mark Camp said that on good days they would expect up to about 350 visitors coming into the centre, but on some wet days it had gone down to about 80 or below.

As the poor weather persisted, he said: 'The people who pre-booked to have a holiday in Looe are still coming, but it is the tourers not arriving because of the wet weather, which is making the difference.

'We are doing our best to help people have an enjoyable time, but unfortunately we can't change the weather.'

Looe traders Andy Parritt and Allison Martin, of Purely Cornish, said, however, that they were still trading quite well.

'If people are in the area, they will generally spend at least one day in Looe,' said Andy, 'but it is the growing proportion of people who make last-minute decisions based on the weather which is having the effect.

'The pre-bookings on our other business, Activate Cornwall, are up, but until the school holidays start, we won't know how badly the weather is affecting everything.'

Malcolm Bell, of VisitCornwall, said: 'The weather is having a big impact on tourist figures.

'People are being resilient for this year but unless the weather improves and we get a normal type summer of about six weeks, then it is going to have a knock-on effect on next year's bookings.

'Also we have to watch Greece, Spain and Portugal who are now making a big play into our traditional market with a more competitive Euro and guaranteed good weather.'