THIRTY three per cent of the people who requested West Dorset holiday guides ended up visiting the area.

A survey revealed that the majority of those who took part were much more likely to holiday in the area after using the internet than they were through other information sources.

That's what district council leisure and tourism officer Norman Day told Lyme Regis publicity committee on Tuesday when he reported on a telephone survey of 684 people last year.

It revealed that 33 per cent had visited West Dorset before and 41 per cent stayed for five to seven nights. Half the visitors surveyed booked through the West Dorset holiday guide.

"The survey showed that a third of the people came on their first visit last year, which indicates we are attracting new customers," said Mr Day. "And the great majority arrived outside the peak months.

"Thirty-eight per cent said they visited the area because West Dorset was attractive and beautiful, while 35 came because they had been before and had enjoyed it.

"A quarter of the people who had not come said they went abroad, while 36 per cent had not taken a holiday anywhere at the time of the survey."

Mr Day also presented very encouraging statistics from Lyme Tourist Information Centre, which is run by the district council.

Particularly impressive were the figures for throughput at the centre during November and December - up from 1,502 to 4,166 on the previous November and an increase from 862 to 2,710 on the corresponding period of the next month.

"The figures are particularly good, reflecting, I believe, our additional opening hours," said Mr Day who also commented on the November local accommodation bookings - not traditionally high at the time year, but up four times at 23.

"The figures are very impressive," said mayor Ken Dibben. "We should congratulate the TIC and its staff."

Members congratulated the district council on the quality of its guide, with the mayor saying he "particularly liked the picture of Lyme Regis on the inside cover".