BREXIT could have a 'devastating impact' on tourism for places such as Weymouth, it is claimed.

With its blue flag beaches, stunning coastline and the amazing weather, the South West is set for a bumper summer.

But analysis from the People’s Vote campaign suggests Brexit could have a negative impact on tourism across the region in future seasons.

One and a half million tourists from the EU visit the South West each year – spending half a billion pounds a year. But with free movement set to end when Britain leaves the EU, and no deal on reciprocal travel arrangements for European visitors yet in place, many of those EU visitors may find it too hard to visit after Brexit.

The region’s tourism sector is also heavily reliant on EU migrant workers, many from eastern Europe, who work in hotels, on camp sites and in kitchens during the summer. But hoteliers and restaurant owners say it is already becoming harder to retain good staff from Eastern Europe, who are deciding not to return, deterred by the uncertainty of Brexit.

Furthermore, it is feared that post-Brexit without the threat of EU fines and a regulator to keep check on the cleanliness of UK beaches, standards could fall.

The EU's Blue Flag programme currently recognises our cleanest beaches.

Beaches attaining a Blue Flag in 2018 include Weymouth and Swanage.

Amanda Chetwynd-Cowieson is a campaigner from Cornwall representing the organisation For Our Future’s Sake, who will be speaking at the People's Vote rally in Bristol on August 11.

She said: “It’s becoming clear just how bad Brexit will be for the tourism industry."