Councillor Ian Bruce, tourism and leisure spokesman at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council , is encouraging people to visit the area this August or ‘regret it later’.

He said: “I really would encourage everyone to come to Weymouth and Portland this summer.

“People who don’t bring their kids down here will find their children saying ‘what did we do for the Olympics ?’ “They’ve all learnt about it at school and staying at home watching it on TV is nothing compared to coming down to the beach and getting involved.

“So I’m really urging people, even at this late stage, to come down or you will regret it.”

Coun Bruce added: “A lot of our car parks are sitting empty, the park and ride and the ones in town.

“We kept saying there wouldn’t be parking but at the Bowleze Cove end of town they are empty.

“People can park there and get right onto the beach, or walk along the Jurassic coast.”

He said that there is something for everyone, from watching the sailing in the sun to rainy-day activities.

“There are three areas, apart from the Nothe, where you can see the sailing if you get out into the countryside along the cliffs,” said Coun Bruce.

“If people want to get away from the Olympics they can come to Weymouth and have a fabulous holiday in sunny weather or in the rain.

“There’s so many attractions around here, like the Tank Museum, in Bovington, the Granby Fun Factory, in Weymouth, the Sea Life attractions and Weymouth Pavilion .”

He added: “If you don’t come down you have really missed out.

“We’re ready for people in their hundreds of thousands and we will give them a wonderful experience.”

Coun Ray Banham, Deputy Mayor, said: “People shouldn’t be put off thinking it will be really busy during the Olympics because it hasn’t turned out that way at all.

“We’ve got good roads, good parking facilities and everything is there for people to visit.

“We’re ready for as many people as possible to come down.”

For more information on visiting the area go to dorsetforyou.co.uk