KEY tourist attractions across Wyre Forest have enjoyed a bumper summer - in stark contrast to the misery endured by some town centre traders.

Severn Valley Railway, Bodenham Arboretum and Wyre Forest Visitor Centre have reported record tourist numbers in the past three months. West Midland Safari Park has also enjoyed a fantastic summer, making up for the disastrous effects of last year's foot-and-mouth crisis.

At the same time traders in Stourport, Kidderminster and Bewdley have voiced concern at a decline in visitors, blaming factors including roadworks and lack of parking.

SVR marketing manager John Leach said the steam railway had enjoyed record passenger numbers last year - and this year the figures were up again.

"We are very pleased with the way things are going. We have moved one of our major diesel gala events from April to October, and taking that into account we are enjoying record numbers of passengers."

Bodenham Arboretum owner Jennifer Binnian said business was blooming at the award-winning site.

It has enjoyed record numbers and takings are up by 35 to 40 per cent on last year.

She said: "It is hard to establish the exact number of visitors because so many people have season tickets. We have a couple of Kidderminster ladies who come here three or four times a week.

"I think people have reacted to the foot-and-mouth crisis and heeded the message about getting out and about in the countryside."

At Wyre Forest Visitor Centre, Callow Hill, which annually sees 170,000 visitors, franchise owner Tony Winnall said: "It has been a record-breaking year - it has been extremely busy." A new play area for under 10s had opened and was proving very popular.

Meanwhile, the safari park's £1.5 million investment in new attractions has paid dividends after the worst year in its history when it had to close for two weeks due to foot-and-mouth.

Spokeswoman Wendy Jackson said: "We are having one of the best summers in our 30-year history - fingers crossed it could be a record year.

"We had a fantastic start to the season with a record-breaking Good Friday as everyone was queuing to see our new baby rhino and it has gone from strength to strength since.

"Our new attractions such as the sea-lion theatre, exotic creatures house and the Fly ride have gone down a storm with visitors."

The success enjoyed by attractions has not been repeated in the towns, say traders.

In Kidderminster trade has been hit by restricted car parking caused by redevelopment, while Bewdley has suffered with major flood defence work and roadworks.

Stourport traders reported a disastrous start to the tourist season due to poor weekend weather and concern over toilet facilities. The situation has not improved much, say managers at Shipley's fair and amusements park and boat hire firm Stourport Steamer Company.

Trevor May, boat company owner, said: "Things have not been so good this year. Things are slowly picking up following the effects of foot-and-mouth but it's not been great."

He said poor weekend weather and problems with toilet facilities - there is just one super-loo serving the Riverside area - were continuing to have an effect.

Paul Parsons, park manager for Shipley's in Stourport, said there had been a shortfall in visitor numbers to the town this summer.

"Most weekends it has rained and people have just stayed away," he said.