EVESHAM town councillors are hoping to attract more visitors to the town next summer after a drop in figures this year.

Members have expressed concern about the fall in the number of people visiting the Almonry Heritage and Tourist Information Centre.

The number of visitors for the September quarter was just 1,612 compared with 1,827 for the same period last year. But the number of people using the centre's bed booking service for local accommodation had remained the same.

Deputy mayor Councillor Frances Smith said: "The drop in visitors is disappointing but I think a lot of that has to do with the weather, and we were unlucky this year.

"We are quite concerned because if we don't get the visitors the revenue drops, and we want to run the Almonry as a viable concern.

"Hopefully, we can address these problems next year."

Centre manager Erica Hudson said she was disappointed with the low attendance but was encouraged by the continuing popularity of the bed booking service.

She added: "We are very pleased with the fact that people still seem to be using the bed booking service, because nationally the figures are down."

A more positive report disclosed to town councillors revealed 5,000 more people had used their promotional website for the town.

The site provides historical information about Evesham as well as accommodation details.

Set up in 1999 by the Journal's parent company Newsquest, visitors to the site are expected to exceed 70,000 by the end of the year.

Cllr Smith said: "It is encouraging that people are interested enough to look at the website because they are obviously interested in Evesham and it's a great way to promote the town."