WEYMOUTH'S vital tourism industry is being hit by persistent rain during its summer season.

Weatherman Bob Poots said that in the first 17 days of the month the town had more rain that it usually got for the whole of July.

June had more than twice the usual amount of rain and May was the second wettest in Weymouth history.

Some traders said the weather was taking its toll.

Fulvio Figliolini, of Rossi's icecreams on the Esplanade, said: "The weather is not being very kind. It is the one thing you cannot do anything about.

"We are a seaside resort which relies on sea, sun and sand - particularly sun - and if it is raining people are not going to come out and trade is hit.

"That said, we have got away with murder because Cornwall and Devon have had it a lot worse, so I think we have to say it is just another day and get on with it."

Rain has driven people off the beach and Esplanade, but the downpours so far have come before schools break up and tourism operators face their busiest six weeks of the year.

Weymouth and Portland promotions manager Steve Davies said: "Deckchair and windbreak hire are significantly down on the start of the season when we had a tremendous run.

"When the sun is there people do come out in their droves to make up for lost time, but everyone has their fingers crossed for a bumper August."

But not everyone is suffering as indoor attractions benefit from the rain.

Lakeside Superbowl manager Phil Goode said: "We have had a lot more people in because of this rain, particularly young people and student groups. The bad weather has helped us, definitely."

But the overall picture is still a cloud without much of a silver lining.

Weymouth Town Centre Group spokesman David Johnston said: "It is very concerning.

"I have talked to a lot of people and I know how dismal the situation is.

"Holidaymakers have money to spend but the weather is preventing them from spending it outdoors in the traditional ways.

"This is seeing the beach area suffer during the day but restaurants benefit at night when people come out for a good time that they have not been able to have during the day.

"It is a worrying situation for the winter because so many concessions rely on the summer period to be able to get through the winter months and invest in the future, but the rain means that trade is very much reduced."