A HOLIDAY firm is offering to refund holidaymakers if their trip to the Dorset coast ends up being a washout.

Dorset Coastal Cottages, based in Wool, will refund 20 per cent the price of its accommodation if visitors find three days or more of rain puts a damper on their holiday.

Managing director Charles Smith is looking on the bright side and hoping to spread his confidence in the Dorset climate as he seeks to establish the area's reputation as UK tourism's sunshine county'.

Mr Smith said: "I've lived in Dorset for many years and so often return from poor weather elsewhere to find sunshine on the Dorset coast.

"So I decided to give our customers the confidence in Dorset that I have and something to look forward to when they book with us."

Locals who have endured two successive wet summers may find Mr Smith's optimism misplaced but he claims Weymouth had the most hours of sunshine in the UK in 2007, with a total of 2,058 hours of sun compared to the national average of 2000.

Mr Smith said the Rain Refund was an effort to offer something original in the face of increased competition in tourism throughout the South West.

He added: "The South West benefits from the best climate in the UK and there is renewed interest in UK-based holidays as families seek more environmentally-friendly options.

"But it's tough for firms like ours to make our voices heard above the competition, so we knew we needed an innovative move if we were to attract customers in this increasingly competitive marketplace."

Head of marketing for South West Tourism Kirsty Cumming was impressed by the initiative shown by Mr Smith.

She said: "It's great that Dorset Coastal Cottages is giving customers confidence in their trip to the South West with this unique offer.

"We fully support and encourage this sort of innovative approach to marketing, it's good for the region as well as Dorset Coastal Cottages customers."

Dorset Coastal Cottages customers must pay £5 per person to qualify for the refund and will be entitled to claim 20 per cent back of the cost of their accommodation if more than 20mm of rain is recorded on any three days of a week's holiday by an independent body near Weymouth.