Hotel owners and tourist attraction bosses across south west Wales have reported an increase of up to 50% in visitor numbers over the last month.

Operators say the booking numbers have soared because of the good weather.

Normally, trade tails off after the first weekend in September but we have seen an increase of 40% to 50% in visitors

Chris Ebsworth, Folly Farm manager

Weather experts say September was the driest for 11 years with many places experiencing three continuous weeks of sunshine.

Sue Powell from the Met Office said: "It has been the driest September since 1991 and we have only had half the usual monthly rainfall.

"The last day of significant rain was 9 September."

Folly Farm Family Adventure Park near Tenby in Pembrokeshire, which attracts 230,000 visitors each year, has taken on extra workers to cope with the demand.

Manager of the attraction Chris Ebsworth said: "We have had our best September ever.

The tourist season has been extended this year

"We have already created 10 extra jobs and are looking for more staff.

"Normally, trade tails off after the first weekend in September but we have seen an increase of 40% to 50% in visitors."

Ashford Price from the National Showcaves Centre for Wales at Dan Yr Ogof in the Swansea Valley says more foreign tourists have been visiting.

He said: "Our self catering facilities have been absolutely full and our caravan park is also up particularly at the weekends.

"We have noticed a lot more foreign visitors from Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg who are telling us the weather here is much better.

"People have been wandering about in shorts and t-shirts.

Bookings up

"Our September has certainly been better than it was before foot-and-mouth and it is down to the weather."

One of south west Wales' largest hotels has also seen an increase in bookings.

Barry Saunders, who runs the Stradey Park hotel in Llanelli said: "Trade has definitely been up.

"We've had a lot of coaches from the English Midlands taking advantage of the fine weather to visit the National Botanic Garden and Aberglasney."