TOURISTS soaked up the bank holiday sunshine to round off a bumper season for Weymouth businesses.

Following an unsettled start to the summer, soaring temperatures brought an influx of business to the town yesterday in what traders are calling a ‘record-breaking’ August.

Despite a wet start to the bank holiday weekend, with much of Saturday and Sunday washed out, the sun came out on Monday and crowds responded by heading to the beach in force.

Traders say it was a great end to what has been a great summer.

Christine Hurford, owner of the beach hut shops and seasonal stores, said: "It was a slow start to the summer, often it’s busy at the start of the season and then it trails off when the kids break up, but this year it's been the opposite.

"August has been brilliant, it’s been really busy and everyone is happy, it's lovely."

Over on the harbourside, Brewers Quay Emporium and Bazaar reported record-breaking sales on Saturday in terms of the number of sales and the amount taken.

Director of the Bazaar, Mike Ellery, said: "The place goes from strength to strength. It’s almost full but we still have many new traders arriving even now the autumn will be here soon.

“We are looking forward to many more good times and the continuing success of this unique shopping experience in the heart of Weymouth.”

However, it's not just an increase in profit traders have noticed.

Nicole Palucsis, an employee on the snail ride amusement, said: " It's definitely been busier than last year. It's really nice meeting the tourists and seeing smiling faces.

"We see a lot of holiday makers return year after year, but this year I’ve seen people from different places like London and Scotland, I've also noticed a lot of Europeans and some Japanese people as well."

Alice Higgins, lifeguard supervisor for Weymouth, West Dorset and Swanage, said: "In terms of people, it's been much better than previous years. It's all weather dependant and this year the weather has been great.

"For us it has been a relatively quite season in terms on incidents, which can only be a good thing.

"Almost 95 per cent of the work we do is preventative, so our lifeguards work hard to inform people of the dangers before anything happens."

As people packed away their deck chairs and the last bank holiday of the year drew to a close, it certainly seemed to be smiles all round. Holidaymaker Colin Green, 65, from Chippenham, Wiltshire, said: "Weymouth is our favourite place. It has everything, it’s got entertainment for the children, lovely shops, places to eat, and bars for the adults.

"The crucial thing is that its family orientated and it's as safe as you can get."